O Holy Night’ is a timeless Christmas carol.
The music was originally set to a French poem, ‘Minuit, chrétiens’ and released under the name ‘Cantique de Noël’.
Placide Cappeau, the author of the French lyrics, was a wine merchant and poet. Although he was never particularly religious, Cappeau was asked in 1843 to write a Christmas poem to celebrate the recent renovation of the church organ in his home town. He obliged and, soon after, Adolphe Adam composed the accompanying music.
