Lyrics for the carol 'O Holy Night' in both French and English variations:
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'O Holy Night', a beloved Christmas carol, was first composed by Adolphe Adam under the name 'Cantique de Noël' in 1847. The lyrics for this moving piece were penned by Placide Cappeau, a French wine merchant and poet.
The original French lyrics, titled "Minuit, chrétiens!" or "Cantique de Noël", and their English translation by American minister John Sullivan Dwight, offer a beautiful contrast. Here's a glimpse:
Original French lyrics (excerpt from "Minuit, chrétiens!"):
Minuit, chrétiens, c’est l’heure solennelle,Où l’homme Dieu descendit jusqu’à nous!Pour effacer la tache originelle,Il a tout effacé par son sang et sa croix.
Noël! Noël! Voici le Roi des cieux!Ô hommes, criez tous son avènement,Noël! Noël! Dans nos foyers que la paixAuteur du jour commence son règne éternel!
English translation (by John Sullivan Dwight):
O 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 appeared 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!O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
The English translation captures the solemn and hopeful message of the original, including the famous second verse emphasizing freedom and equality:
"Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,And in his name, all oppression shall cease."
First broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1906 by Reginald Fessenden on radio, 'O Holy Night' was the first Christmas carol ever played on air1. The French original remains a major part of French Christmas tradition, while the English version is widely beloved in the English-speaking world.
Over the years, many pop and classical music stars have put their own spin on 'O Holy Night'. From Mariah Carey's rendition on her Merry Christmas album to the Choir of King's College, Cambridge's popular annual performances, the carol continues to resonate with audiences.
Last year, 'O Holy Night' was voted the Nation's Favourite Carol in an annual website poll2. More recently, Aled Jones and Malakai Bayoh's duet rendition of the carol went viral with over 25 million views on social media3.
If you're looking for the full French lyrics or the entire English translation, they can be found through sheet music collections or hymnals of "Cantique de Noël" / "O Holy Night" by Adolphe Adam and John Sullivan Dwight1.
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