O Holy Night by Adolphe Charles Adam
Do You Have a Favorite Christmas Carol?
Do you have a favorite Christmas carol or holiday song? Maybe you love the timeless classics, or perhaps Bing Crosby, Shakin’ Stevens, or Mariah Carey is more your style. Here at music-scores.com, we all agree that Adam’s O Holy Night is one of the very best!
When we searched online for the top Christmas carols, this consistently came up as number one—a true holiday favorite.
On music-scores.com, we offer over 60 arrangements of this stunning carol. These range from simple piano versions to full ensemble arrangements. Most sit around 5/9 in difficulty, but we also have easier and more challenging options. Truly, there’s something for every musician!
History of O Holy Night
In 1843, the small French town of Roquemaure had just renovated its church organ. To celebrate, the parish priest asked local poet Placide Cappeau to write a special Christmas poem. Cappeau created Cantique de Noël.
Later that year, he asked his friend, Adolphe Charles Adam, a talented Jewish composer, to set the poem to music. The result was breathtaking! In 1847, opera singer Emily Laurey performed the carol publicly for the first time in Roquemaure.
Fast forward to 1855, when musician and Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight translated and adapted the poem into English. As an abolitionist, Dwight was deeply moved by the carol’s message of freedom and unity, renaming it O Holy Night.
Since then, this beautiful carol has captured hearts worldwide and remains a cherished holiday favorite.
Lyrics
English
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’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.
O night, O holy 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 no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! before him 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, then ever! ever praise we!
His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim!
French
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!
O Holy Night Today
In French-speaking churches, O Holy Night often opens midnight mass with breathtaking impact. Over the years, it’s been recorded by incredible artists like Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, and Celine Dion.
Closer to home, the choir at King’s College, Cambridge frequently performs O Holy Night at their Christmas carol service—it’s truly magical!
Feeling inspired? Explore our collection of Christmas music, including plenty of free sheet music. Whether you want to play a classic favorite or challenge yourself with something new, we’ve got the perfect arrangement to make your holiday season shine.
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