In scouting about for Christmas carols with interesting origin stories, I came across “O Holy Night.” Read on and you’ll see what I mean.
(If you’re interested, here are some other Christmas songs I’ve written about: We Three Kings, Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, and Good King Wenceslas.)
Original French Poem
“O Holy Night” is a translation of the French carol known simply as “Cantique de Noël,” which began as the poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877). Cappeau was a wine merchant in the town of Roquemaure in southern France. Althought he had no interest in religion, he wrote the poem to commemorate the restoration of either the stained glass or the organ in the local church in 1843. (Trivia: Cappeau had only one hand as a result of a childhood accident.)
In the literal translation of the poem you’ll see that the tone is quite different than the English version we know today.
Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour,
When God as man descended unto us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Saviour.
People on your knees, await your deliverance.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!
May the ardent light of our Faith
Guide us all to the cradle of the infant,
As in ancient times a brilliant star
Guided the Oriental kings there.
The King of Kings was born in a humble manger;
O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness,
It is to your pride that God preaches.
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!
The Redeemer has broken every bond
The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.
He sees a brother where there was only a slave,
Love unites those whom iron had chained.
Who will tell Him of our gratitude,
For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.
People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!
Composition of the Music
The music for “Minuit, chrétiens” was composed by Adolphe Adams, a composer of secular operas, perhaps at the suggestion of the local priest. It premiered in 1847 sung by opera soprano Emily Laurey and quickly gained popularity.
Controversy
Despite the popularity of the carol, it was soon attacked for multiple reasons.
- Cappeau was called a socialist drunk and an atheist
- Adams was falsely accused of being Jewish
- The theology of the lyrics was criticized
- The militant tone was denounced
- The music was criticized on aesthetic grounds
Thus singing of the carol was discouraged by church leaders and it was rarely included in Catholic hymnals.
Arrival in North America
After hearing “Cantique de Noël” sung at a church in Paris, Ernest Gangon, a folklorist and organist, brought the carol to Canada in 1858. It soon became a tradition in Quebec parishes to choose a local soloist to perform when the carol was sung at Midnight Mass.
English Translation
In 1855 the French carol was translated into English by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, former director of the school at the Transcendentalist commune Brook Farm. The words were tweaked and the tone is more subdued.
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’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! 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 come 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 weaknesses no stranger,
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.
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.
Myths?
Besides the rumour that composer Adolphe Adams was Jewish (which still circulates), there is another dubious tale about “Cantique de Noël.” The story goes that it was sung by troops on Christmas Eve during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, leading to a 24-hour cease-fire.
Sources
- “O Holy Night — An Atheist, an American Christian, a Missing Hand, and War” by Peter Sanfilippo
- “A brief history of ‘O Holy Night,’ the rousing Christmas hymn that garnered mixed reviews” by Benjamin Irvy via America: The Jesuit Review
- “The Surprising History of ‘O Holy Night'” by Priscilla M. Jensen via The Washington Examiner