O Holy Night

This carol has been heralded as among the most beautiful of all Christmas carols, with excellent lyrics and a superb melody.

The author of the lyrics was Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), a resident of Roquemaure, located a few miles north of the historic city of Avignon. He was a commissionaire of wines, and an occasional writer of poetry. It is said that Cappeau was about to embark upon a business trip to Paris when the local parish priest asked Cappeau to write a Christmas poem. On December 3, 1847, about halfway to Paris, Cappeau received the inspiration for the poem, "Minuit, Chrétiens."

According to William Studwell, when Cappeau arrived in Paris, he took the poem to the composer Adolphe Adam (1803-1856), an acquaintance of M. and Madam Laurey who were friends of Cappeau. Adam was at the peak of his career, having written his masterpiece, Giselle, only a few years before, in 1841. He was also the composer of over 80 stage works. Adam wrote the tune in a few days, and the song received its premier at the midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1847 in Roquemaure.

In our own time and with our own experiences, it is good to remember charity, kindness and the awe described in this song.

PIANO:

BASS:

TENOR:

Altos - there is only a difference between first and second alto on the top of page 3 in stanza's 2 and 3

2nd ALTO:

1st ALTO:

Sopranos - there is only a difference between first and second soprano on the top of page 3 in stanza's 2 and 3

Also, I understand that on the repeat it goes up to an ear piercing A.  Honestly, I don't want anyone to hurt themselves trying to reach that.  So for the Soprano line alone, just sing the first repeat for the first and second time (going from the F rather than A).

2nd SOPRANO:

1st SOPRANO: