O Holy Night

For other uses, see O Holy Night (disambiguation).

"O Holy Night" ("Cantique de Noël") is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877), a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem.^[1] Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight,^[2] editor of Dwight's Journal of Music, created a singing edition based on Cappeau's French text in 1855. In both the French original and in the two familiar English versions of the carol, the text reflects on the birth of Jesus and of mankind's redemption.

Lyrics

Placide Cappeau's Cantique de Noël

Literal English Translation

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 ! De notre foi que la lumière ardente Nous guide tous au berceau de l'Enfant, Comme autrefois une étoile brillante Y conduisit les chefs de l'Orient. Le Roi des rois naît dans une humble crèche : Puissants du jour, fiers de votre grandeur, A votre orgueil, c'est de là que Dieu prêche. Courbez vos fronts devant le Rédempteur. Courbez vos fronts devant 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 !

Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour, When God-man descended to us To erase the stain of original sin And to end the wrath of His Father. The entire world thrills with hope On this night that gives it a Savior. People kneel down, wait for your deliverance. Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer, Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer! May the ardent light of our Faith Guide us all to the cradle of the infant, As in ancient times a brilliant star Guided the Oriental kings there. The King of Kings was born in a humble manger; O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness, It is to your pride that God preaches. Bow your heads before the Redeemer! Bow your heads before the Redeemer! The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle: The Earth is free, and Heaven is open. He sees a brother where there was only a slave, Love unites those that iron had chained. Who will tell Him of our gratitude, For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies. People stand up! Sing of your deliverance, Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer, Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

John Sullivan Dwight's Version

Unattributed Version

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Til 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! O hear the angels' voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O 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, Before Him lowly bend! 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! 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! O 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 within lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our Lord. He knows our need, our weakness never lasting, Behold your King! By Him, let Earth accord! Behold your King! By Him, let Earth accord! 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 evermore proclaim! His power and glory evermore proclaim! (The second and third choruses are, often replaced with a refrain of the first)., (The second verse is often omitted in most public, renderings.), (Also the final chorus, His power and glory , evermore proclaim!, is often switched to French-, English mix: Noël, Noël, O Night, O Night Divine.),

Notable renderings

On 24 December 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian inventor, broadcast the first AM radio program, which started with a phonograph record of 'Ombra mai fu' followed by him playing "O Holy Night" on the violin and singing the final verse. The carol therefore was the second piece of music to be broadcast on radio.^[3][4]

Three different country music artists have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts with renderings of "O Holy Night:" Martina McBride, John Berry and Josh Gracin. McBride's rendering charted on five separate occasions, peaking at No. 74 in 1997, No. 67 in 1998, No. 49 in 1999, No. 57 in 2000 and No. 41 in 2001.^[5] Berry's charted at No. 55 in 1996 and No. 63 in 1998,^[6] and Gracin's at No. 59 in 2006.^[7].

Luciano Pavarotti's title record was his first to go platinum, in 1984.^[8] Mariah Carey sang the song on her 1994 album Merry Christmas, and a live version of it is included on her second Christmas album Merry Christmas II You (2010).

David Foster arranged and produced the song successfully for several different artists including Michael Crawford, whose rendering in the 1993 TV special The David Foster Christmas Album was also featured on Foster's best-selling corresponding album (No. 48 Billboard Top 200 in 1993)^[9] as well as Crawford's own A Christmas Album (No. 98 Billboard Top 200 in 1999)^[10] and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's platinum-selling DVD The Ghosts of Christmas Eve^[11]; secondly, Celine Dion (voted most popular rendering in a 2004 poll^[12] and featured on her 5x platinum album These Are Special Times^[13]), then Josh Groban (No. 1 Billboard Adult Contemporary in 2002)^[10][14] and most recently by Andrea Bocelli for his 2009 double platinum My Christmas album^[15], Jackie Evancho for her 2010 EP "O Holy Night", Michelle Williams in Destiny's Child 2001 album "8 Days of Christmas", and in 2011 Argentinian tenor Javier Fontana for his second album Appassionato.

In December 2010, Norwegian band Röyksopp featured an instrumental electronic music version on their website under the French title "Le Cantique de Noël".^[16]

References

1. ^ Collins, Ace; [2001], Stories of Best-loved Songs of Christmas, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, pp. 132-138.
2. ^ Nobbman, Dale V. 'Christmas Music Companion Fact Book.' 2000. p 36. Google Books
3. ^ Collins, Ace, [2001], Stories Behind the Best-loved Songs of Christmas, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan,p.137-138
4. ^ Early Radio History web-site quoting "Builder of Tomorrows" by Helen Fessenden, 1940, pages 153-154, Accessed 7 December 2010
5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 263. ISBN 0-89820-177-2. 
6. ^ Whitburn, p. 49
7. ^ Whitburn, p. 166
8. ^ http://www.tsort.info/music/2tsutu.htm
9. ^ http://www.musicarchivevault.com, (subscription required)
10. ^ ^{a b} http://www.musicarchivevault.com
11. ^ http://www.trans-siberian.com/press2005/2005pressrelease.htm
12. ^ http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/cole.s-christmas-song-tops-poll, Edison Research 2004 seasonal song test poll results
13. ^ http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH, searchable RIAA database
14. ^ http://www.thatjoshgrobanguy.com/honors.php
15. ^ http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/italian-tenors-album-sales-top-five-million_100296578.html
16. ^ http://royksopp.com/track-of-the-month-november-december

External links

• Free sheet music for voice & piano from Cantorion.org
• Sheet music for "O Holy Night" (Cantique de Noël)
• Tabs for "O Holy Night"
• Sheet music for solo piano arrangement of "O Holy Night" (Cantique de Noël)

Preceded by "Cry" by Faith Hill

Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one single by Josh Groban December 28, 2002 - January 4, 2003

Succeeded by "Cry" by Faith Hill