adam • cappeau • dwight
This is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam ("Cantique de Noël") in 1847 to the poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau. It was translated into English by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight. Translated into Swedish ("O Heliga Natt") this song is the incarnation of Christmas to me. Not being religious at all ... when they put on the His Master's Voice recording of the sweedish superiour clarion tenor opera singer Jussi Bjoerling, I know it's Christmas Time, come what may. The song has haunted me for years. Finally I grabbed it and started singing it myself. I'm not a tenor; I'm dark barritone, so I troubled a bit to find the platform. I ended up with D ... I hardly ever play anything neither D minor nor major, but this time it worked.
I should really not sing this. To me, nothing is holy, except for life itself. And The Holy Cat. But I have respect for traditions, and winter solstice belongs to nordic mythologi. Besides, the meldody is beautiful. So; Merry Christmas to You all!
o 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 appeared and the soul felt its worth
a thrill of hope • the weary soul 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 • o holy 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 weaknesses is no stranger
behold your King • before him lowly bend!
o night • o holy night • o night divine!
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 every more proclaim!
o night • o holy night • o night divine!
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
D D7 G D o holy night the stars are brightly shining D A7 D it is the night of the dear Savior's birth! D D7 G D long lay the world in sin and error pining F# C#7 F#m till He appeared and the soul felt its worth A A7 D a thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices A A7 D for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Bm F#m Em Em7 G fall on your knees o hear the angel voices! D A7 Bm G D A7 D o night divine o night when Christ was born! A A7 D Gmaj7 D A7sus4 D o night o holy night o night divine!
