The Story of "O Holy Night"

The common Christmas hymn, "Cantique de Noël" ("O Holy Night"), was written by a well-known French composer, Adolphe Adam.  His father was a pianist, but he did not want his son to follow in his foot steps and become a musician.  In the beginning Adolphe was self-taught, and later his father granted him permission to become a musician.

Adolphe Adam's life goal was to compose a great opera. He never achieved this, but he did write many stage works and ballets, the most commonly performed of these being the ballet, "Giselle."

"O Holy Night" received extremely poor reviews from ecclesiastical 21 authorities on music, saying that the song "lacks of good musical taste, and has a total absence of the spirit of religion."  Yet, a century later, "O Holy Night" remains one of the most popular Christmas songs ever written.

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.

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.

The Story of "O Holy Night"

Learn to play beautiful Christmas Carols on your piano -- click here