My first memory of "O Holy Night" was hearing it at the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. The song is prominently featured in the living nativity sequence. During the sequence, an angel is revealed to announce the birth of Christ Jesus. She appears through a midnight blue scrim as if by magic. The dramatic power of the music in such a grand venue coupled with the impressive stage effect made an indelible impression on me.
The music is gorgeous. Operatic in scope and capturing the full extent of the drama of the occasion as only music can, it demands to be sung by a trained voice, and anything less leaves you unsatisfied. Modern recordings by pop artists are nice, but they are ultimately unfulfilling. Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti have made excellent recordings of the song, but if you want to go old school, listen to recordings by Franco Corelli and Rise Stevens.
The music is exquisite enough to secure its place in the canon of first rate Christmas music, but the lyrics match its virtuosity. “A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices.” What a marvelous phrase. “Thrill.” Not a cheap thrill, but the thrill of the sublime. The author understands the profundity of the moment.
As the music climaxes, so too do the lyrics. “Fall on Your Knees.” It is not an invitation; rather it is a command that cannot be ignored for how can we do less at the moment of God’s incarnation on earth? Whether you believe or not, whether you are a Christian or not, the music and lyrics call us to attention and if we allow ourselves, transports us to an extraordinary moment.
"Silent Night" is a beautiful lullaby; an homage to serenity and solemnity. "Joy to the World," a joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus. "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells" are delightful odes to a festive season. But "O Holy Night" makes you a witness to the arrival of God.
At my family's annual Christmas Eve feast, we would always gather around the piano to sing carols before we opened presents. Grandma played and everyone else would sing. We would typically end the caroling with "O Holy Night." Sometimes we would listen to my Uncle sing it solo. When I was very young, I remember my cousins teasing their dad with words to the effect of “Dad’s going to cry when it comes to ‘Fall on your knees.’ ” I don’t remember him crying, but I could so understand why he might. The power of the music and lyrics in the context of the situation, conjures profound feelings.
The music was written by Apolphe Charles Adam. He was born in 1803 and lived a short life in France. He died in 1856 and is buried in Cimetiere de Montmarte in Paris. He studied music at the Paris Conservatory under his father Louis Adam. He composed more than 50 operas and 12 ballets. While he was prolific, he is remembered for the ballet Giselle and of course "O Holy Night."
The lyrics were written by Placide Cappeau. He lived from 1808-1877, a somewhat longer life than Adam. Cappeau was a wine merchant and local politician. He composed poetry for pleasure and had skill enough to turn out "O Holy Night." Placide Cappeau was asked by a local clergyman to write a poem for Christmas. It is said that on December 3, 1847 he received the inspiration for the poem which he called "Minuit, Chretiens (Midnight, Christians)." It was reported that Cappeau took the poem to composer Adam with whom he shared mutual friends. Adam apparently embraced the poem and the song was written swiftly enough to enjoy its premiere a few weeks later on Christmas Eve.
The version we know is a translation by American John Sullivan Dwight. While a literal translation from French to English reveals that Dwight took some liberties, he remains faithful to the intentions of the original poem.
Dwight was an impressive figure as well. He was born in 1813 in Boston, the son of a physician. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Divinity School, he forsook a career as a Unitarian Minister to pursue his love of music in general and Beethoven in particular. Although he married, he never had children. In 1855, he translated "Minuit Chretiens" into English. He is known for being a superior music critic. He died in 1893.
On Christmas Eve in 1906, 59 years after its premier and just a few weeks after my grandmother was born, "O Holy Night" was broadcast on AM radio by radio pioneer Reginald Aubrey Fessenden. It was the second song broadcast that night, and indeed the second song ever to be broadcast on the airwaves.
To see the original poem, a literal translation, Dwight’s translation and an unattributed English translations, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Holy_Night
Here is Dwight’s translation:
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 weakness is 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 pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
The following sources were referenced in writing this piece:
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/o_holy_night.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Holy_Night
Thank you for reading and I hope to see this through with with another Christmas Carol for tomorrow.
c. December 1, 2011
with many edits on December 12, 2013
and a ginormous revision on December 9, 2015
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