O Holy Night Lyrics Placide Cappeau, translated by John Sullivan Dwight, 1858
Sung to Cantique de Noël (11.10.11.10.11.10 with varying endings), public domain, free to print and project.
The words
Verse 1. 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 soul 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! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.
Verse 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!
Verse 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 pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!
Where each verse comes from
John Sullivan Dwight's English translation, copied from Gems of English Song (Boston: Oliver Ditson, 1875). Each stanza keeps its own ending.
| Verse | Printed in |
|---|---|
| 1 O holy night, the stars are brightly shining |
|
| 2 Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming |
|
| 3 Truly He taught us to love one another |
|
Every verse was published before 1931, so the words are in the public domain in the United States. Your church may print, project and sing this text. Later arrangements and recordings have their own rights.
Words: Placide Cappeau, translated by John Sullivan Dwight, 1858. Public domain.
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The story behind O Holy Night
Placide Cappeau wrote the French carol Cantique de Noël in 1847. Adolphe Adam, a French composer who also wrote for the theater, composed its music.
John Sullivan Dwight supplied the English translation. The 1875 Ditson score credits him by name and prints three stanzas with different closing passages.
The singers kneel before Christ, join the wise men at his cradle, and confess his law of love. Dwight's third stanza calls the enslaved person a brother and anticipates the end of oppression.
John Sullivan Dwight
1813 to 1893
John Sullivan Dwight was an American music critic and editor. He studied at Harvard and lived at Brook Farm. He edited Dwight's Journal of Music and translated Cantique de Noël into English.
- Gems of English Song , read 2026-10-23
- John Sullivan Dwight, Hymnary.org , read 2026-10-23
- Luke 2 (King James Version) , read 2026-10-23
- Matthew 2 (King James Version) , read 2026-10-23
Scripture in O Holy Night
The Bible passages behind the words, with the verse of the hymn that draws on each.
- Luke 2:10-14 In verse 1 of the hymn
- Matthew 2:1-11 In verse 2 of the hymn
O Holy Night videos
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O Holy Night | The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge The Choir of St John's College Cambridge, Choir
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O Holy Night - The King's Singers and The Tabernacle Choir The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Choir
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O Holy Night performed by The Girl Choristers of Ely Cathedral Choir Ely Cathedral, Choir
Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.
Print and project
For Sunday
- Slides for O Holy Night Every verse. Full screen, or a PowerPoint file that ProPresenter and Keynote open.
- Printable song sheet Every verse of O Holy Night on a folded letter-size booklet, with your church's name on the cover.
- Add it to a bulletin Opens the bulletin maker with O Holy Night in the order of service.
Questions people ask
Who wrote O Holy Night?
Placide Cappeau wrote the French words, Adolphe Adam composed the music, and John Sullivan Dwight wrote this English translation.
When was O Holy Night written?
Placide Cappeau wrote the French poem in 1847, and Adolphe Adam wrote the music the same year. John Sullivan Dwight's English translation is usually dated 1855; the earliest printing on record is from 1858.
How many verses does O Holy Night have?
Dwight's English text has three stanzas, each with its own closing lines. This page prints all three as Dwight wrote them.
What does O Holy Night mean?
The singers worship the newborn Savior and call one another to love their neighbors. The third stanza speaks against slavery and oppression.
Which Bible passages connect with O Holy Night?
Luke 2:10-14 supplies the birth announcement and angels. Matthew 2:1-11 supplies the wise men and their worship.
Is this O Holy Night text public domain?
Yes. Dwight's English words were in print by 1858 and appear in an 1875 songbook, so they are in the public domain in the United States. A recent arrangement or a rewritten verse can carry its own copyright.
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