1. The Norwegian choral ensemble Cantus was formed in 1986 by a group of young women who wanted to take control of their own performances. The group, consisting of 30 amateur singers, is based in Tronheim and led by Tove Ramlo-Ystad, who joined as a singer and has become the group's director. Cantus typically performs arrangement of classical and contempary works, and has crossed over into jazz, folk, and pop music.
The group credits its participation in choral competitions with sharpening its focus and raising the quality of its performances.
Cantus has become an international sensation because of its inclusion on the soundtracks of both Disney films Frozen I and II, featuring the tracks Vuelie and Reindeer Circle, written by Frode Fjellheim and Christophe Beck.
2. Originally founded at St. Olaf College, Cantus is now a nine person male vocal ensemble based in Minneapolis. They sing a wide variety of vocal music, and have performed in some innovative theater pieces as well.
3. Cantus from Lithuania, making some mixture of Christian and Lithuanian folk music.
Silent Night
Cantus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Silent night! Holy night!
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Alleluia, for this day!
Alleluia, for this night!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
The lyrics of "Silent Night" by Cantus carry profound religious significance and convey the peaceful and joyous atmosphere surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. The song is divided into three sections, each emphasizing different aspects of this holy night.
The first verse begins with a serene declaration, "Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright." It paints a picture of a serene and tranquil scene, where everything is peaceful and illuminated. The focus then shifts to the image of the Virgin Mary and her child, emphasizing the purity and tenderness of the holy infant. The lyrics evoke a sense of awe and reverence, inviting listeners to acknowledge the sacredness of this moment and the divine nature of the baby.
In the second verse, the attention turns to the shepherds, who are overwhelmed by the celestial spectacle that unfolds before them. The lyrics state, "Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!" Here, the shepherds' fear and astonishment are highlighted as they witness the heavenly hosts rejoicing and praising God. The notion of the divine presence being revealed to ordinary individuals signifies the universality and inclusiveness of Christ's birth – an event that brings joy and salvation to all.
The following lines contain the chorus of "Alleluia, for this day! Alleluia, for this night!" These words express exultation and praise, encapsulating the jubilation felt by believers for the birth of Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder of the significant impact this event has on humanity, inviting listeners to celebrate and rejoice with heartfelt gratitude.
The final verse redirects the focus to Jesus himself, portraying him as the divine Son of God and the embodiment of pure love. The lyrics convey the idea that Jesus brings forth a radiant light, symbolizing his divine nature and the hope he offers to mankind. The line "With the dawn of redeeming grace" signifies the advent of redemption and salvation through Jesus' birth, reminding believers of the transformative power and ultimate purpose behind his coming. The song culminates with the affirmation, "Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!" emphasizing Jesus' lordship and the central role his birth plays in the religious narrative.
Overall, these lyrics beautifully capture the essence of the silent and holy night when Jesus was born, depicting the peacefulness, reverence, and revelation of this divine event. The song invites listeners to reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth, reminding them of the transformative power of his love and the joyous salvation he brings to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night! Holy night!
Peaceful and sacred night!
All is calm, all is bright
Everything is tranquil and illuminated
Round yon virgin mother and child!
Nearby is a mother who is a virgin and her child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Holy baby, gentle and meek
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Rest in divine tranquility
Silent night! Holy night!
Peaceful and sacred night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Shepherds tremble in fear at the sight they witness
Glories stream from heaven afar
Great glories descend from faraway heavens
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Angelic beings sing praises to God!
Christ the Saviour is born!
The Savior, Jesus Christ, is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
The Savior, Jesus Christ, is born!
Alleluia, for this day!
Praise the Lord, for this day!
Alleluia, for this night!
Praise the Lord, for this night!
Silent night! Holy night!
Peaceful and sacred night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Child of God, the embodiment of pure love's light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
Glowing rays from your sacred countenance
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Bringing the gift of salvation with the morning light
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
Jesus, the Lord, is born in this moment!
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!
Jesus, the Lord, is born in this moment!
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Alistair King, Franz Gruber, David Hubbard, Derek Green, Franz Xaver Gruber, JACQUES ZWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rob Babcock
What a beautiful arrangement! One thing I miss about the Midwest was experiencing Cantus live every year.
Connie Setter
Beautiful!
But we wouldn't expect anything different!
Thank you all! ❤
cantussings
Thanks Connie!
WmHBacon
Awesome arrangement, challenging but rewarding! I’m still mad at myself; in late 2019 I had a chance to see Cantús live in Berkeley CA but I was like, Sunday at 8pm, uncomfortable pews, hmmm, naw. Then a pandemic hits!
cantussings
Hopefully we’ll be back before too long—
Rich Marquardt
Beautiful performance!
Greg Smith
Christmas Music is the best when sung by CANTUS. Inspiring!
Thank you CANTUS......g
cantussings
Thanks Greg!
Casey Miller
absolutely gorgeous
Evan Wood
What a stand out men's arrangement!