O Holy Night

O Holy Night
by Adolphe Adam
Native name	Cantique de Noël
Genre	Christmas
Text	Placide Cappeau
Language	French
Performed	1847

"O Holy Night" piano solo

"O Holy Night" (French: Cantique de Noël) is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by a wine merchant and poet, Placide Cappeau (1808–1877).

In Roquemaure at the end of the year 1843, the church organ was recently renovated. To celebrate the event, the parish priest asked Cappeau, native from this town, to write a Christmas poem, even though the latter never showed an interest in religion, and Cappeau obliged.^[1]

Soon after, Adam wrote the music. The song was premiered in Roquemaure in 1847 by the opera singer Emily Laurey.

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, as well as many other languages, the text reflects on the birth of Jesus and of humanity'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 À 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, is the solemn hour, When God as man descended unto 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 Saviour. People, kneel down, await 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 broken every bond: 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, 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! O hear the angel 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 the 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 weaknesses 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 us, 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 changed to French- English mix: Noël, Noël, O Night, O Night Divine.)

Notable renderings

The song has also been recorded through the years by many notable singers including Anita Bryant, Mariah Carey, Cher, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Céline Dion, Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, The Lettermen, Ellie Goulding, Andy Williams and The Braxtons

• On December 24, 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian inventor, broadcast the first AM radio program, which started with a phonograph record of Handel's aria "Ombra mai fu" followed by Fessenden playing "O Holy Night" on the violin and singing the final verse. As such, the carol was the second piece of music to be broadcast on radio.^[3][4]
• Tenor Enrico Caruso recorded a version in 1916 which is still in print today.
• Mireille Mathieu sang the song with her father Roger Mathieu on her Chante Noël 1968 album. It was re-released as a CD in 2004 with three additional songs.^[5]
• 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)^[6] as well as Crawford's own A Christmas Album (No. 98 Billboard Top 200 in 1999);^[7] the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's platinum-selling DVD The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (1999);^[8] Michelle Williams on Destiny's Child's 2001 album 8 Days of Christmas; Celine Dion's rendering was voted most popular in a 2004 poll^[9] and featured on her 5× platinum album These Are Special Times;^[10] Josh Groban (No. 1 Billboard Adult Contemporary in 2002);^[7][11] Andrea Bocelli for his 2009 double platinum My Christmas album;^[12] and, most recently, Jackie Evancho for her 2010 EP O Holy Night. Italian operatic pop trio Il Volo have also recorded a version of "O Holy Night."^[13]
• Four country music artists have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts with renderings of "O Holy Night": John Berry charted at No. 55 in 1996 and No. 63 in 1998;^[14] Martina 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;^[15] Josh Gracin's at No. 59 in 2006;^[16] and Edens Edge's at No. 59 in 2012.

References

1. Collins, Ace; [2001], Stories Behind the 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. "Builder of Tomorrows: First Broadcast extract". earlyradiohistory.us. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
5. "Mireille Mathieu - Mireille Mathieu Chante Noël (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
6. http://www.musicarchivevault.com, (subscription required)
7. "Billboard Singles Charts | Record Research MusicVault". Musicarchivevault.com. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
8. "Top Annual Winter Holiday Tour To Kick Off November 6". Trans-siberian.com. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
9. Edison Research 2004 seasonal song test poll results
10. searchable RIAA database
11. "That Josh Groban Guy". That Josh Groban Guy. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
12. "Italian tenor’s album sales top five million - Thaindian News". Thaindian.com. 2009-12-30. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
13. "O Holy Night! Il Volo Sing Christmas Classics A Cappella". Rolling Stone. 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
14. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 49. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
15. Whitburn, p. 263
16. Whitburn, p. 166

External links

• IMSLP Original version in several keys, and various arrangements.
• 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)