Christmas Song: Midnight Christians (Oh Holy Night)
Chanson de Christmas: Minuit chrétiens
Origin
A famous Christmas carol, Minuit chrétien is the work of a poet and wine merchant named Placide Cappeau, who lived in Roquemaure in the Gard department of France. The setting of this carol is attributed to Adolphe Adam. It is presumed that Minuit chrétien was composed around 1843, but no one knows for sure.
Dans le livre « Le château de Roquemaure », écrit par Placide Cappeau, on ne trouve guère de précisions quant aux circonstances ayant amené l’auteur des paroles à la création de son cantique. Cette incertitude aurait d’ailleurs donné birth à de nombreuses spéculations. Toutefois, la récente découverte d’une correspondance assidue entre Placide Cappeau et son associé, Guillaume Clerc, alors maire de Roquemaure, a permis de faire la lumière sur les faits.
In one of the letters exchanged between the two men, Placide Cappeau mentions this song, which was supposedly performed by Emily Laurey in the salon of Countess Belgiojosco. An Italian princess who had taken refuge in France, she was known at the time as the owner of the most renowned music salon in the country.
The correspondence thus revealed that Pierre Lauray and his wife Emily, then living in Paris, were obliged to stay in Roquemaure in September 1842. Lauray had to go there since he had been entrusted with the task of completing the construction of the bridge over the Rhône. It was during this stay that Emily Lauray asked Adolphe Adam, whose wife was one of her close friends, to compose music to the words of Placide Cappeau, even offering to sing it upon his return at the end of 1843. However, in July of the same year, Emily Lauray having given birth to a little girl, was unable to make the long journey.
Subsequently, under the pretext that doctors strongly advised his wife against traveling, the numerous invitations extended by Guillaume Clerc were declined by Pierre Lauray. Difficulties encountered on the construction site brought Lauray and his wife back to Roquemaure in 1847. It was therefore necessary to wait until December 24 of the same year for Emily Lauray to finally perform the famous Minuit chrétien. This document therefore constitutes proof that this hymn was composed before 1847.
Minuit Chrétiens has been performed by a wide range of singers, including Tino Rossi, Nana Mouskouri, John Littleton, and Luciano Pavarotti. More recently, it has been performed by artists such as Marc Hervieux, Johanne Blouin, Marie-Élaine Thibert, Gino Quilico, Maria Carey, Roch Voisine, and Céline Dion.
Midnight Christians was translated into English in 1855 by minister John Sullivan Dwight, editor of Dwight's Journal of Music. He gave the hymn the title "O Holy Night."
Music video “Midnight Christians” (Youtube)
Interpretation: Marie-Elaine Thibert (Quebec)
Performance: Red Army Choir (over a slideshow of Christmas images)
Performance: Roberto Alagna (Classical soloist, accompanied by an orchestra)
Performance: Nana Mouskouri (figure skating choreography)
Performance: Oh Holy Night (English) Duet with David Archuleta & Celine Dion
Lyrics in French version
Christian midnight, it is the solemn hour
Where the man God came down to us,
To erase the original stain
And to stop his father's wrath:
The whole world is trembling with hope
To this night that gives him a savior
People, on your knees await your deliverance,
Christmas! Christmas! Here comes the Redeemer!
Christmas! Christmas! Here comes the Redeemer!
From our faith that the burning light
Guides us all to the cradle of the child
As before, a shining star
Led the leaders of the East there
The King of Kings is born in a humble manger,
Powerful ones of the day, proud of your greatness,
To your pride it is from there that a God preaches,
Bow your foreheads before the Redeemer!
Bow your foreheads before the Redeemer!
The Redeemer has broken every fetter,
The earth is free and the sky is open
He sees a brother or was only a slave
Love unites those chained by iron,
Who will tell him our gratitude?
It is for all of us that he is born, that he suffers and dies:
People, arise! Sing your deliverance,
Christmas! Christmas! Let us sing to the Redeemer!
Christmas! Christmas! Let us sing to the Redeemer!
English version lyrics
O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth
A thrill of hope the weary world 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 divine!
O night, O night divine!
And in His Name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise us
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the Lord!
Their name forever we praise
Christmas, Christmas
O night, O night Divine
Christmas, Christmas
O night, O night Divine
Christmas, Christmas
O night, O holy Divine