"O Holy Night" is perhaps one of the most beloved Christmas songs of our day. It usually is heard as a music special in services of worship. I actually don't think I have ever heard it sung as a congregational hymn. However, it's origins are as a congregational piece.
The carol was written in 1847 by Placid Cappeau. Cappeau was a French wine merchant, but his local parish priest asked him if he could write a Christmas poem. So while traveling to Paris, Cappeau penned the poem "Minuit, chrétiens" or "Cantique de Noël." He then decided that what was needed was not a poem, but a song. So he took his words to his friend, the accomplished comic opera, vaudeville, and ballet composer Adolphe Charles Adam. The song was performed just three weeks later at the Midnight Christmas Eve mass.
At first the carol was wholehardtely accepted by French Catholics finding it's way into many Christmas Eve masses. But when it was discovered that Cappeau had become an aethiest and part of the French socialist movement later in life and that Adam's other compostitions were considered inappropriate for someone who also wrote Chruch music, "O Holy Night" fell out of favor. In fact, one French bishop denounced the song for its "lack of musical taste and total absence of the spirit of religion."
The resurgence of the carol came about becuase of American music critic John Sullivan Dwight. In 1855 he translated the French words into English. Dwight losely translated the words allowing for his own abolitionist views to come through especially in these words from the third verse: "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."
The song continued to gain in popularity in America especially in the North during the Civil War. The song eventually regained its position in France and has now been translated into many different languages around the world.
The most interesting piece of trivia to me about the carol occured on Christmas Eve 1906. This is when Reginald Fessenden demonstrated how voice and music could be transmitted over the radio but reading the Christmas story in Luke 2 and then playing "O Holy Night" on his violin. Thus the carol is considered to be the first piece of music to be broadcasted on radio.
The carol was written in 1847 by Placid Cappeau. Cappeau was a French wine merchant, but his local parish priest asked him if he could write a Christmas poem. So while traveling to Paris, Cappeau penned the poem "Minuit, chrétiens" or "Cantique de Noël." He then decided that what was needed was not a poem, but a song. So he took his words to his friend, the accomplished comic opera, vaudeville, and ballet composer Adolphe Charles Adam. The song was performed just three weeks later at the Midnight Christmas Eve mass.
At first the carol was wholehardtely accepted by French Catholics finding it's way into many Christmas Eve masses. But when it was discovered that Cappeau had become an aethiest and part of the French socialist movement later in life and that Adam's other compostitions were considered inappropriate for someone who also wrote Chruch music, "O Holy Night" fell out of favor. In fact, one French bishop denounced the song for its "lack of musical taste and total absence of the spirit of religion."
The resurgence of the carol came about becuase of American music critic John Sullivan Dwight. In 1855 he translated the French words into English. Dwight losely translated the words allowing for his own abolitionist views to come through especially in these words from the third verse: "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."
The song continued to gain in popularity in America especially in the North during the Civil War. The song eventually regained its position in France and has now been translated into many different languages around the world.
The most interesting piece of trivia to me about the carol occured on Christmas Eve 1906. This is when Reginald Fessenden demonstrated how voice and music could be transmitted over the radio but reading the Christmas story in Luke 2 and then playing "O Holy Night" on his violin. Thus the carol is considered to be the first piece of music to be broadcasted on radio.
"O Holy Night"
Oh 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! Oh, hear the angels' voices!
Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;
Oh night divine, Oh night, 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.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Behold your King.
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.
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