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" (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 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 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 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 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 Handel's aria "Ombra mai fu" followed by Fessenden 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]
Tenor Enrico Caruso recorded a version in 1916 which is still in print today.
Luciano Pavarotti's title record was his first to go platinum, in 1984.[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 in Destiny's Child 2001 album 8 Days of Christmas; Celine Dion's rendering was voted most popular in a 2004 poll[9] and featured on her 5x 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 by Jackie Evancho for her 2010 EP "O Holy Night".
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[13]; 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[14]; Josh Gracin's at No. 59 in 2006.[15]; and Edens Edge's at No. 59 in 2012.
Mariah Carey recorded the song for her 1994 album Merry Christmas, and a live version of it is included on her second Christmas album Merry Christmas II You (2010).
Whitney Houston recorded a version for her 2003 album One Wish.
In 2009, Iranian composer/pianist, Fariborz Lachini, arranged a solo piano version of the song on his Christmas Piano album.
In December 2010, Norwegian band Röyksopp featured an instrumental electronic music version on their website under the French title "Le Cantique de Noël".[16]
On their debut 2010 LP, King Night, Michigan- and Chicago-based band Salem extensively sampled it in the opening track of the same name.
The cast of Glee (TV Series), featuring Lea Michele, recorded the song on Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album (2010).
In 2011, it was recorded by Joe McElderry and Rolando Villazón for McElderry's third studio album, Classic Christmas.
In 2011, Richard Marx recorded his version for his The Christmas EP.
Format and Track List
UK 5" CD-single
- "O Holy Night" (UK Original Edit)
USA 5" CD-single
- "O Holy Night"
- "Jesus oh what a wonderful child"
References
- ^ Collins, Ace; [2001], Stories of Best-loved Songs of Christmas, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, pp. 132-138.
- ^ Nobbman, Dale V. 'Christmas Music Companion Fact Book.' 2000. p 36. Google Books
- ^ Collins, Ace, [2001], Stories Behind the Best-loved Songs of Christmas, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan,p.137-138
- ^ Early Radio History web-site quoting "Builder of Tomorrows" by Helen Fessenden, 1940, pages 153-154, Accessed 7 December 2010
- ^ http://www.tsort.info/music/2tsutu.htm
- ^ http://www.musicarchivevault.com, (subscription required)
- ^ a b http://www.musicarchivevault.com
- ^ http://www.trans-siberian.com/press2005/2005pressrelease.htm
- ^ http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/cole.s-christmas-song-tops-poll, Edison Research 2004 seasonal song test poll results
- ^ http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH, searchable RIAA database
- ^ http://www.thatjoshgrobanguy.com/honors.php
- ^ http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/italian-tenors-album-sales-top-five-million_100296578.html
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 49. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ^ Whitburn, p. 263
- ^ Whitburn, p. 166
- ^ http://royksopp.com/track-of-the-month-november-december
External links
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 |