French and English Lyrics for 'O Holy Night'
In the spirit of the festive season, one carol stands out as a long-running favourite among British audiences - 'O Holy Night'. Composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847, this cherished piece is considered one of Adam's best-known works[2].
The original French lyrics, penned by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet, paint a vivid picture of the night Jesus was born[1]. The English translation was completed by Minister John Sullivan Dwight in 1855[6].
The chorus of 'O Holy Night' invites listeners to kneel and hear the angel voices, as they celebrate the divine birth[3]. The carol has been performed by various artists over the years, with notable renditions including those by Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli on their album My Christmas, The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Nat King Cole in 1960, and more recently, Aled Jones and Malakai Bayoh in a duet that went viral in Christmas 2022[4][5][7][8][9].
The lyrics of 'O Holy Night' are traditional and have been sung in various versions. They highlight the birth of Jesus and its significance, emphasizing themes of hope, redemption, and love[3]. One common version includes verses about the star guiding the wise men and Jesus being our friend in all our trials[3].
'O Holy Night' is indeed a timeless Christmas carol, a beautiful reminder of the spirit of the season[10]. Its enduring popularity is evident in its recent victory as the Nation's Favourite Carol in an annual poll on our website[1][9]. As the world continues to ponder the true meaning of Christmas, 'O Holy Night' continues to resonate with audiences, offering a timeless message of hope and joy.
[1] Original French Lyrics of 'O Holy Night': "Minuit, chrétiens, C'est l'heure solennelle / Ou l'Homme Dieu descendit jusqu'à nous / Pour effacer la tache originelle / Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux."
[2] 'O Holy Night' is considered one of Adolphe Adam's best known works.
[3] The chorus of 'O Holy Night' invites listeners to kneel and hear the angel voices.
[4] Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli have performed a version of the carol on their album My Christmas.
[5] Last year, 'O Holy Night' was voted the Nation's Favourite Carol in an annual poll on our website.
[6] The English translation of 'O Holy Night' lyrics was done by Minister John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.
[7] The carol 'O Holy Night' was performed by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge.
[8] Nat King Cole recorded the song in 1960, giving it a looser metre and rhythmic structure.
[9] In Christmas 2022, Aled Jones and Malakai Bayoh performed a duet rendition of the carol, which went viral on social media.
[10] 'O Holy Night' is a timeless Christmas carol.
In the context of diverse entertainments, 'O Holy Night', a classical music piece, stands as a favorite amidst the British audience, showcasing its enduring popularity. The English translation of this cherished score, initially penned by a French wine merchant and poet, continues to offer a timeless message of hope and joy during the festive season.
