Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Redirect Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox musical composition "O Holy Night" (original title: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is a sacred song about the night of the birth of Jesus Christ, described in the first verse as "the dear Saviour", and frequently performed as a Christmas carol. Based on the French-language poem Minuit, chrétiens, written in 1843 by poet Placide Cappeau, it was set to music by composer Adolphe Adam. The English version, with small changes to the initial melody, is by John Sullivan Dwight.

In recent times the song has been covered by many popular performers.

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Origin and compositionEdit

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"O Holy Night" is derived from the poem Minuit, chrétiens, written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau, who was a wine commissionaire and a part-time poet.<ref name="CarolFacts">Template:Cite book</ref> Stained glass had been renovated at a church he frequently attended in Roquemaure, France, and this led parish priest Maurice Gilles to ask Cappeau if he would write a new song to be sung at that year's Christmas Midnight Mass.<ref name=":0"/><ref name="Collins, Ace">Template:Cite book</ref> Cappeau was friends with Emily Laurey, a singer, and Laurey had connections to the famous opera composer Adolphe Adam, who had written his most famous work, Giselle, just a few years prior. The plan was to refer the writing to Adam upon Cappeau's arrival to Paris while on a business trip, where Adam was located.<ref name="CarolStudy">Template:Cite book</ref> As such, Cappeau wrote Minuit, chrétiens on 3 December 1847, during a stagecoach ride from Mâcon to Dijon, about a six-hour trip.<ref name="CarolStudy"/><ref name="TG"/>

Cappeau's understanding of Christian theology was derived from Jesuit educators at the Collège de France in Paris.<ref name=":0"/> The words are based on the Nativity of Jesus, specifically from the Gospel of Luke, and were inspired by the hypothesis of being a witness of the moment.<ref name="Collins, Ace"/> His poem was generally anthemic, reflective of Cappeau's socialist and abolitionist views. Minuit, chrétiens spoke commands to kneel and demonstrate humility before God. Its opening line, which spawned early controversy for the song adaptation, reads: "Midnight, Christian! It is the solemn hour when the Man-God descended unto us, to erase original sin, and to stop the wrath of his Father."<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> The original French text more directly refers to the Christian gospel message.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Cappeau was proud of his work on Minuit, chrétiens, and requested Adolphe Adam set the poem to music within the same trip. Adam's exact beliefs regarding Christianity are unknown, although it is known that he was raised in a non-Christian environment,<ref name="TG"/> and he would frequently play organ in churches in Paris and had a Catholic funeral.<ref name="CarolStudy"/><ref name="TG"/> The composition was completed within a few days of the original request,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Cappeau referred to the completed piece as "Cantique de Noël".<ref name="TG">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The most popular English rendition of "Cantique de Noël" was translated by American music critic and minister John Sullivan Dwight in 1855. An ordained Unitarian, he soon departed from the vocation of ministry to instead pursue a career in music and teaching.<ref name="CarolFacts"/> Dwight was influenced by the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson.<ref name="TG"/> It is accepted that Dwight altered Cappeau's lyrics significantly more than would have been necessary to produce a singable translation, changing the meaning of certain parts.<ref name="TG"/><ref name="BAUM"/> "O hear the angel voices [...] O night divine" replaced "Await your deliverance [...] Behold the Redeemer" and "With all our hearts we praise his holy name" replaced "It is for us that he was born, that he suffered and died."<ref name="BAUM">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Another English translation, "O Night Divine", was done by American musician Hart Pease Danks, who was influenced by Dwight's version as early as 1885, and both competed in popularity.<ref name=":0"/>

LyricsEdit

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"Cantique de Noël" (Placide Cappeau, 1847) "O Holy Night" (English version – not a translation – by John Sullivan Dwight, 1855)
<poem>

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 A 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 qu'un 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 ! </poem>

<poem>

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! 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 came the wise men from the 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 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! Then ever, ever praise we! His power and glory evermore proclaim! His power and glory evermore proclaim!


</poem>

HistoryEdit

"Cantique de Noël" was first sung at the Midnight Mass of 1847 in Roquemaure. "Within a generation or so", according to Christmas carol historian William Studwell, "Cantique de Noël" has been translated into many languages and received many renditions. One of the earliest publications was an organ arrangement published around 1855.<ref name="CarolStudy"/> The song saw large popularity throughout France as early as 1864, where the Catholic music journal Revue de Musique Sacrée stated that the song "has been performed at many churches during Midnight Masses" and "is sung in the streets, at social gatherings, and at bars with live entertainment." In 1848 France underwent a revolution;<ref name=":0"/> "Cantique de Noël" was praised by the French poet Alphonse de Lamartine as "a religious Marseillaise",<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> in reference to the 1792 revolutionary song that became the national anthem of France, which worried some amidst the revolution.<ref name="TG"/> Additionally, many leaders within the Christian church criticized the song's "militant tone and dubious theology", according to America magazine. They particularly opposed the line "Et de son Père arrêter le courroux” ("to cease the wrath of his Father"), which they felt depicted an angry and vengeful God in contrast to Jesus. This resulted in the song's exclusion from Catholic hymnals. Most of the song's criticism was however directed at its lyricist and composer. Catholic music critics derided Cappeau as a socialist and a drunk, and his apostasy from Christianity in his later years also garnered criticism;<ref name="CarolStudy"/> And Adam received criticism when false rumors spread about him supposedly being Jewish. A notable example of this was in 1930, when the composer Vincent d’Indy wrote an article that erroneously included Adam's name in a list of Jewish composers and declared they were motivated purely by financial gain, as opposed to the article's subject, Richard Wagner.<ref name=":0"/>

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Revue de Musique Sacrée declared "Cantique de Noël" "debased and degenerated" in 1864, recommending that the song "go its own way, far from houses of religion, which can do very well without it."<ref name=":0"/> This did not however prevent the song's popularity increasing internationally. The Canadian composer and folklorist Ernest Gagnon first heard the song performed at a Midnight Mass at the Church of Saint-Roch, and imported it to Canada in 1858, starting in Quebec at a Midnight Mass performance by the eldest daughter of René-Édouard Caron.<ref name="canada"/> Although some concern about the song began in ecclesiastic circles there as well, the song became very popular in the country, and it became a tradition for soloists to perform the song at Midnight Masses.<ref name=":0"/> On 22 September 1936, the Catholic Church in Canada banned "O Holy Night" from being performed in churches, along with other songs and wedding marches, the Canadian national anthem, and many versions of Ave Maria, including those by composers such as Franz Schubert, Charles Gounod, Pietro Mascagni, and Jules Massenet.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> According to the secretary of the archbishop, the reason for the ban of these songs was the desire for the promotion and exclusive use of Gregorian chant and Gregorian music.<ref name=":1" />

John Sullivan Dwight first discovered "O Holy Night" while researching songs to critique for his publication Dwight's Journal of Music. Dwight praised the song, but as an abolitionist, also resonated with its themes of equality: "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!" This perfectly captured views of abolishing slavery, which was the primary source of opposition amidst the ongoing American Civil War. His publishing of "O Holy Night" saw high levels of popularity in the United States, especially within the North.<ref name="Collins, Ace"/> Although disputed due to a lack of formal documentation, the first song played over a radio broadcast is usually attributed to inventor Reginald Fessenden's performance of "O Holy Night" on violin in 1906.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Meanwhile, it was still common to be discriminatory of the song in France after World War II; French composer Auguste Sérieyx notably would rebuke those who performed the song on organ and in choirs, and the priests who "tolerate or encourage them." By 1956 the song was "expunged from many dioceses due to the emphatic aspect of its lyrics as much as the music itself, and the contrast they provide with the holiday liturgy", according to Paris publication Le Dictionnaire du Foyer Catholique.<ref name=":0"/>

Since the song's creation, there have been demonstrations of spiritual usage of the song within Christian circles. One legend states that in 1870, French troops sung the song on Christmas Eve during the Franco-Prussian War during trench warfare, and combat temporarily ceased. In 2004, the song was sung by a Catholic priest to a dying American Marine soldier while deployed in Fallujah, Iraq.<ref name=":0"/>

Modern usageEdit

William Studwell stated in his book The Christmas Carol Reader that "O Holy Night" is "the most popular carol in France and belongs in the upper echelon of carols on an international basis."<ref name="CarolStudy"/> It is common tradition in French and Canadian culture to have a solo performance at Midnight Mass. Its difficult higher registers result in anticipation that its wide range of notes be sung on pitch.<ref name=":0"/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="canada">Template:Cite journal</ref>

In recent history the song has been covered in a variety of Christmas album collections, across a range of genres and song styles. Popular covers of the song include renditions by Michael Crawford, Mariah Carey, NSYNC, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Ella Fitzgerald, Carrie Underwood, Andrea Bocelli, Jennifer Hudson, and Kelly Clarkson.Template:Cn In a 2010 survey conducted by Zogby International, "O Holy Night" was ranked as the most popular Christmas song, ahead of "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

On record chartsEdit

{{#invoke:Hatnote|hatnote}}{{#ifeq:||}} The song has been recorded by numerous pop, classical, and religious singers. Several renditions by popular artists have appeared on record charts:

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> It reached Template:Numero in Italy and it was certified Gold.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It reached the top-twenty in Iceland, peaking at number 19.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in 2023 it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Christian Digital Song Sales chart,<ref name=tsochr>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> No. 11 on the Rock Digital Song Sales,<ref name=tsorock>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and No. 23 on the Holiday Digital Song Sales chart<ref name=tsoholiday>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> in 2014, Nielsen SoundScan reported that her version had sold 240,000 copies in the U.S.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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  • 2012: Ladywell Primary School in Motherwell, Scotland, released "O Holy Night" as a digital download on 21 November 2012. The school donated 90 percent of proceeds from the song to the Meningitis Research Foundation in memory of a student who had died of meningococcal septicaemia. The remaining 10 percent went to school funds.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> It reached Template:Numero on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name=ladywell>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Numero U.S. Hot Christian Songs,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Template:Numero U.S. Christian Airplay<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> charts

ChartsEdit

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Mariah Carey versionEdit

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Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Mariah Carey
Chart (1994–2023) Peak
position
France (SNEP)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

42
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

19
Netherlands (Single Tip)<ref name="Single Tip">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

9
South Korea International (Circle)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

84
U.S. Holiday 100 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 70

John Berry versionEdit

Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by John Berry
Chart (1996) Peak
position
U.S. Hot Country Songs (Billboard)Template:Sfn 55

Martina McBride versionEdit

Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Martina McBride
Chart (1997–2001) Peak
position
U.S. Hot Country Songs (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 41

Celine Dion versionEdit

Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart
Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Celine Dion
Chart (2013–2025) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 57
Lithuania (AGATA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

73
U.S. Holiday 100 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 44

Josh Groban versionEdit

Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Josh Groban
Chart (2002–2011) Peak
position
U.S. Adult Contemporary (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 1
U.S. Holiday 100 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 26

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Josh Gracin versionEdit

Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Josh Gracin
Chart (2006) Peak
position
U.S. Hot Country Songs (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 59

Glee cast versionEdit

Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Glee cast
Chart (2010–2011) Peak
position
U.S. Holiday Digital Songs (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 1

Ladywell Primary School versionEdit

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Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Ladywell Primary School
Chart (2012) Peak
position

Lauren Daigle versionEdit

Chart performance for "O Holy Night" by Lauren Daigle
Chart (2017–2018) Peak
position
U.S. Hot Christian Songs (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 33
U.S. Christian AC (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 14
U.S. Christian Airplay (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 33

Trans-Siberian Orchestra versionEdit

Chart performance for "O Come, All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Chart Peak
position
U.S. Christian Digital Song Sales (Billboard) (2010-2023)<ref name=tsochr /> 2
U.S. Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard) (2020-2023)<ref name=tsorock /> 11
U.S. Hard Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard) (2020-2021)<ref name=hard /> 3
U.S. Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard) (2023)<ref name=tsoholiday /> 23

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CertificationsEdit

Mariah Carey versionEdit

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Celine Dion versionEdit

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See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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