O Holy Night

"O Holy Night" ("Cantique de Noël") is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), an accomplished amateur.

In the carol, the singer recalls the birth of Jesus. It was translated into English by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, editor of Dwight's Journal of Music in 1855 (note the abolitionist reference in the third verse: "for the slave is our brother"), and lyrics also exist in other languages. "O Holy Night" may have been the first piece of music to be broadcast via radio, played on the violin.

Recordings

Known for its difficulty, the carol has been recorded by various artists, including Maria Callas,Perry Como, Roberto Alagna ("Minuit, chrétiens"), Johnny Mathis, Mahalia Jackson, Cosima De Vito, Patti LaBelle, Mario Lanza, Enrico Caruso ("Minuit, chrétiens"), Jussi Björling ("O helga natt"), Al Green, Plácido Domingo, Joan Baez, Omar Hamada, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Rosemary Clooney and George Michael (duet), Brian Wilson, Billy Gilman, Jose Feliciano, Luciano Pavarotti, Whitney Houston, Sufjan Stevens, Céline Dion, Jon Anderson, Brand New, Nana Mouskouri, Britney Spears, Jim Nabors, Charlotte Church, Ella Fitzgerald, Lonestar, Avril Lavigne, Leigh Nash, Aled Jones, Linda Eder, Jewel, Christina Aguilera, Glenn Medeiros, Martina McBride, Clay Aiken, Michelle Williams, Jessica Simpson, Michael Sweet, Celtic Woman, Josh Groban, BarlowGirl, John Berry, Michael Crawford, Il Divo, Kelly Clarkson, NSYNC, Richie Sambora, Aiza Seguerra, The Fold, Smoking Popes, Dream Theater, Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Rebecca St. James, Bryant Manning, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (instrumental), Mannheim Steamroller (instrumental), Wynonna Judd, the cellists of Apocalyptica, Third Day, Nat "King" Cole, User:Rrcoachella, Play and by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

"O Holy Night" was also sung by lead character Eric Cartman on a Christmas-themed episode of the animated series South Park. The sequence became so popular among fans that this recording is often played on radio stations during the Christmas season.

Mariah Carey co-produced and co-arranged her own cover of "O Holy Night" with Walter Afanasieff for her fifth album, Merry Christmas (1994). It was released as the album's airplay-only fifth single in 1996 (see 1996 in music), and again with new live vocals in 2000 (see 2000 in music). A Sanaa Hamri-directed video created for this version of the song shows Carey singing with a church choir. The Carey/Afanasieff arrangement as used on the album was also recorded by Michael Bolton.

“O Holy Night” was played in the episode “The Christmas Show” of the TV series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”[[1]]. It featured musicians benefiting from The Tipitina’s Foundation[[2]].

Lyrics

O Holy Night - Version 1:

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;

Oh night, Oh night divine, Oh night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Behold your King.

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

O Holy Night - Version 2:

O! Holy night! The stars, their gleams prolonging,

Watch o'er the Eve of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error, longing

For His appearance, then the Spirit felt its worth.

A thrill of hope; the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was Born;

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts we stand by the Babe adored.

O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,

And come now, Shepherds, from your flocks unboard.

The Son of God lay thus w'thin lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our King.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Long live His truth, and may it last forever,

For in His name all discordant noise shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

(The second and third choruses are often replaced with a refrain of the first).

Minuits, chrétiens / Cantique de Noël:

Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle,

Où l'Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu'à nous

Pour effacer la tache originelle

Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux.

Le monde entier tressaille d'espérance

En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur.

Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance.

Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur,

Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur!

Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave:

La terre est libre, et le ciel est ouvert.

Il voit un frère où n'était qu'un esclave,

L'amour unit ceux qu'enchaînait le fer.

Qui Lui dira notre reconnaissance,

C'est pour nous tous qu'Il naît,

Qu'Il souffre et meurt.

Peuple debout! Chante ta délivrance,

Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur,

Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur!

(Note that the the English 'O Holy Night' is not a direct translation of the French.)

External links

• The Hymns and Carols of Christmas – the history of "O Holy Night"
• Easybyte – easy piano music for "O Holy Night"
• Minuit chrétiens / Cantique de Noël - French Christmas Carol - Original French lyrics with literal translation