This song was not well received by the religious ‘authorities’ of the mid-nineteenth century. One French bishop found it lacking in both musical taste and the spirit of religion. Go figure.
Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the word in sin and error pining,
’til 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, oh hear the angel 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 hearts aglow by His cradle we stand.
Drawn by star, its light so sweetly gleaming,
The wise men come from a far eastern land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.
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!
Music: Adolphe Charles Adam.
Words: Chappeau de Roquemaure, 1847.
Translated by John S. Dwight.
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