It is the night of the dear Saviour'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 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!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night, O holy night!
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 trial born to be our friend?
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!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night, O holy night!
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 rise we.
Let all within us praise His holy name
CHRIST IS THE LORD!
Then ever, ever praise we
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim!
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim!
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!
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night, O holy night!
Words by Placide Clappeau, 1847
(translated from French to English by John Sullivan Dwight)
Music by Adolphe-Charles Adam