"O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau (also known as "Cantique de Noël").

In the carol, the singer recalls the birth of Jesus. It was translated into English by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight in 1855 (note the abolitionist reference in the third verse: "for the slave is our brother"), and lyrics also exist in other languages. "O Holy Night" may have been the first piece of music to be broadcast via radio.

Recordings

The carol has been recorded by various artists, including Enrico Caruso ("Minuit, chrétiens"), Jussi Björling ("O helga natt"), Plácido Domingo, Rosemary Clooney and George Michael (duet), Jose Feliciano, Luciano Pavarotti, Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, Jon Anderson, Nana Mouskouri, Jim Nabors, Charlotte Church, Ella Fitzgerald, Lonestar, Avril Lavigne, Aled Jones, Linda Eder, Jewel, Glenn Medeiros, Clay Aiken, Jessica Simpson, Josh Groban, Michael Crawford, Il Divo, Smoking Popes and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (instrumental).

It was also sung by Trey Parker's Eric Cartman character on a

Mariah Carey's version of "O Holy Night" was recorded for her fifth album, Merry Christmas (1994), released by Columbia Records. Co-produced and co-arranged by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, it was released as the fifth single from the album in 1996 (see 1996 in music), but was a radio airplay-only release. In 2000 (see 2000 in music), Carey re-released the song with new live vocals. A video created for this version of the song shows Carey, in a crimson gown, singing with a church choir. Directed by Sanaa Hamri, the video is included on the DualDisc of the Merry Christmas re-release.

Lyrics

Version 1

Oh 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 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! Oh, hear the angel voices!

Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;

Oh night divine, Oh 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, our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Behold your King.

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.

Version 2

O! Holy night! The stars are brightly shining;

It is 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! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was Born;

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,

And come now, Shepherds, from your quiet flocks.

The Son of God lay thus w'thin lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our Lord.

He knows our need, our weakness never lasting,

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.

Long live His truth, and may it last forever,

For in His name all the world shall have peace.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Note that the second and third choruses are often replaced with a refrain of the first.

Trivia

• The highest note, near the end of the song, is used to light the Rich's Great Tree in Atlanta each Thanksgiving night.

Media

See also

• Mariah Carey singles discography

Oh Holy Night Oh Holy Night Kom julenatt O helga natt