"O Holy Night" ("Minuit Chretiens!" or "Cantique de Noël") is a Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, Chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) written by a wine merchant and poet, Placide Cappeau (1808–1877). In both the French original and the English version of the carol, as well as many other languages, the text reflects on Christ's birth and on redemption.
O 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 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
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O 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 come the wise men from the Orient land.
A King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night,
O night divine.
I know it in this form from Leigh Nash's Wishing for this. I also have it by Jon Anderson on his Three ships and The Chieftains' Bells of Dublin where the vocalist is Rickie Lee Jones (and featuring Suzie Katayama on cello) with these extra words
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.
