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.

Refrain

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!

Refrain

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!

Refrain

MIDI from The Cyber Hymnal
info from Montrose Music

This carol was written by Adolphe Charles Adam (1803-1856), the
French composer best known for his ballet "Giselle." At the time,
it was frowned upon by church authorities who denounced it for lack
of musical taste and "total absence of the spirit of religion." The
French text is by Cappeau de Roquemaure; the English by American
clergyman John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).