Who wrote the song oh holy night

Placide Cappeau wrote the words to O Holy Night (or Cantique de Noel) while on a train to Paris for a business trip.

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Cappeau was a French poet and wine merchant living in Roquemaure, a small town in the south of France. He was well known as the man with one hand, having been shot by his friend in a childhood accident and had his right hand amputated.

In 1847, the parish priest asked Cappeau to write the words for a Christmas song to be sung by opera singer Emily Laurey, accompanied by the church's newly renovated organ.

The priest suggested Cappeau take his poem to Adolphe Adam, a composr well known at the time for his ballet
Giselle, to write the music. It so happened that Cappeau and Adam had a mutual friend through which Cappeau arranged a meeting, and Adam agreed to write the music. It was performed at the church in Roquemaure and became a great success.

When it was later discovered that Cappeau was an atheist with strong anticlerical views, the song was banned by church leaders. The ban was allegedly alleviated after an incident during the Franco-Prussian war, where a French soldier jumped from the trenches as they were being attacked by the Germans and started to sing the song. The Germans were moved by this action, and in return sang a hymn by Martin Luther, before a truce was declared.

Lyrics written byJohn Sullivan DwightOriginal music written byAdolphe Charles AdamOriginal lyrics written byPlacide CappeauPublication date 1855LanguageEnglishISWC T-901.232.271-3 ISWC
Adapted from Minuit, chrétiens written by Placide Cappeau, Adolphe Charles Adam
Comments Lyricization of Minuit, chrétiens. Published in Dwight's Journal of Music. Licensing Request a synchronization license

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O Holy Night Lyrics

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 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 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.

Songwriters Placide Cappeau, Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight Published by Public Domain

The Story Behind O Holy Night

O Holy Night was originally written by poet and author Placide Cappeau in 1843 southern France. The music for the song was composed by the prolific French composer and music critic, Adolphe Adam and in 1855 the song was translated from French to English by John Sullivan Dwight.

Near the end of 1843, a church organ in southern France was renovated. Even though Cappeau showed no interest in religion, he was asked by the parish priest to write a Christmas poem; which he did. Shortly thereafter, Adam wrote the music and the song was first performed in 1857.

O Holy Night is one of the most well-known Christmas carols reflecting on Jesus' birth and the redemption of humanity.

Biblical Inspiration of "O Holy Night" Lyrics

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8)

Long lay the world in sin and error pining. ’Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

"And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field." (Genesis 3:17-18)

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:19-21)

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night divine!

"So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease.

"No longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother--especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord." (Philemon 1:16)

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

Our Favorite Performance of "O Holy Night"

Collection of Popular Christmas Hymns and Carols:

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

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