O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël)

English Lyrics

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit 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!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, divine, O night, holy night!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
O night, divine, O night, holy night!

Original French Lyrics

Minuit, chretiens,
C’est l’heure solennelle
Ou l’Homme Dieu descendit jusqu’a nous
Pour effacer la tache originelle
Et de Son Pere arreter le courroux.
Le monde entier tressaille d’esperance

En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur.
Peuple a genoux, attends ta delivrance!
Noel! Noel! Voici le Redempteur!
Noel! Noel! Voici le Redempteur!

Le Redempteur
A brise toute entrave:
La terre est libre et le ciel est ouvert.
Il voit un Frere ou n’etait qu’un esclave;
L’amour unit ceux qu’enchainait le fer.
Qui Lui dira notre reconnaissance?
C’est pour nous tous qu’Il nait,
Qu’Il souffre et meurt.
Peuple debout, chante ta delivrance!
Noel! Noel! Chantons le Redempteur!
Noel! Noel! Chantons le Redempteur!