Minuit, chrétiens

Minuit, Chrétiens

Minuit, chrétiens ( midnight, Christians , in the original edition Minuit, chretien ) is a Christmas carol known worldwide . The original French text is from Placide Cappeau , an occasional poet whom the local priest had asked for a Christmas poem. The music was composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847.

The song has been translated into many languages ​​and edited for a wide variety of ensembles . The English version O Holy Night by John Sullivan Dwight is particularly popular . German translations or free new texts exist, among others, by Johannes Haas (1966), Manfred Paul (1972) and Dagmar Heizmann-Leucke (1996). In Christmas concerts it is one of the bravura pieces as a solo or choir piece with small or large instrumental accompaniment. The most famous singers and choirs have recorded their own versions, for example Enrico Caruso in 1912. The increase from the introspective beginning to an operatic finale is gladly savored.

Text and translation

Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle, Où l'Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu'à nous Pour effacer la tache originelle Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux. Le monde entier tressaille d'espérance En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur. Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance. Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur!	Midnight Christians, this is the solemn hour since the God-Man descended to us, to erase the stain of original sin and stop his father's wrath. The whole world trembles with hope in this night that you give the Savior. People, on your knees, await your liberation. Christmas, Christmas, here is the Savior!
De notre foi que la lumière ardente Nous guide tous au berceau de l'Enfant, Comme autrefois une étoile brillante Y conduisit les chefs de l'Orient. Le Roi des rois naît dans une humble crèche: Puissants du jour, fiers de votre grandeur, A votre orgueil, c'est de là que Dieu prêche. Courbez vos fronts devant le Rédempteur.	May the glowing light of our faith lead us all to the cradle of the child, like a shining star back then led the kings of the east there. The King of Kings is born in a poor manger: Mighty men of the day proud of your greatness what God preaches depends on your pride. Bow your foreheads to the Savior.
Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave: La terre est libre, et le ciel est ouvert. Il voit un frère où n'était qu'un esclave, L'amour unit ceux qu'enchaînait le fer. Qui Lui dira notre reconnaissance, C'est pour nous tous qu'Il naît, qu'Il souffre et meurt. Peuple debout! Chante ta délivrance, Noël, Noël, chantons le Rédempteur!	The Savior broke every fetter: The earth is free and the sky is open. He sees a brother where there was only one slave. Love unites those who chained the iron together. Who says our gratitude to him? For all of us he is born, suffers and he dies. Up, people! Sing about your liberation! Christmas, Christmas, let's sing to the Savior!

Web links

• Original notes with French and English text
• Minuit chrétien (original version in French) onYouTube-Charles Jauquier(tenor),Carlo Hemmerling(organ)
• Interpretation on YouTube by Tino Rossi
• German arrangement for choir a cappella ( Peter Gerloff )

Individual evidence

1. ↑ [1]
2. ↑ https://www.scm-shop.de/media/downloadable/files/samples/preview/Leseprobe_W10306002_Heilige_Nacht.pdf
3. ↑ Copyright information on the audio carrier Reue dich Welt: Singing-sounding Christmas time. , Janz Team, LP no. 6019, 1972
4. ↑ https://www.gerth.de/index.php?id=details&sku=L92012