Words and Music: Adophe Adam (1803-1856)
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of our 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, 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 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 the 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, Oh praise His name forever, His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim.
The inspiring hymn, "Cantique de Noel" ("0 Holy Night"), was written by a distinguished French composer, Adolphe Adam. His father was a pianist, yet he did not want his son to become a musician. At first, Adolphe taught himself music, and, later, his father allowed him to follow this profession. Adolphe Adam's life ambition was to he a composer of grand opera. He did not achieve success in this, but he did compose many stage works and ballets, the most frequently performed of these being the ballet, "Giselle." "0 Holy Night" received repeated attacks from ecclesiastical authorities on music, saying that the song "lacks of good musical taste, and has a total absence of the spirit of religion".However, a century after its composition, "0 Holy Night" remains one of the most popular and stirring Christmas songs ever written.