O Holy Night ("Cantique de Noël", "Minuit Chrétien")

Lyrics

1. 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, Oh hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born.
Oh night, Oh holy night, Oh night divine.

2. 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 no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! before him bend!

3. 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, then ever! ever praise we!
His power and glory, evermore proclaim!
His power and glory, evermore proclaim!

French Lyrics (And direct translation)

Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle, (Midnight, Christians, it's the solemn hour,)
Où l'Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu'à nous (When God-man descended to us)
Pour effacer la tache originelle (To erase the stain of original sin)

Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux. (And to end the wrath of His Father.,)
Le monde entier tressaille d'espérance (The entire world thrills with hope,)
En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur. (On this night that gives it a Savior.,)

Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance. (People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.)
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur, (Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,)
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur ! (Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!)

Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave: (The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle:)
La terre est libre, et le ciel est ouvert. (The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.)
Il voit un frère où n'était qu'un esclave, (He sees a brother where there was only a slave,)

L'amour unit ceux qu'enchaînait le fer. (Love unites those that iron had chained.)
Qui Lui dira notre reconnaissance, (Who will tell Him of our gratitude,)
C'est pour nous tous qu'Il naît, (It's for all of us that He is born,)
Qu'Il souffre et meurt. (That He suffers and dies. )

Peuple debout ! Chante ta délivrance, (People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,)
Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur, (Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,)
Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur ! (Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer! )

By: Placide Cappeau and Adolphe Adam, English version by John Sullivan Dwight.