Oh Holy Night
Jocelyn B. Smith Lyrics
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Long lay the world in sin and error pining till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees oh hear the angel voices o night divine o night when Christ was born
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
Led by the light of the stars so brightly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and cloudless morn
Fall on your knees oh hear the angel voices
O night divine o night when Christ was born o night divine o night o night divine
The lyrics to Jocelyn B. Smith's version of Oh Holy Night paint a vivid picture of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the hope that his arrival brought to a world lost in sin and darkness. The song begins with a powerful declaration of the bright stars that shone on the night when the "dear Saviour" was born, highlighting the significance of the event. The lyrics then poignantly depict the struggle of a world in "sin and error pining" for redemption, until the arrival of "he" (Jesus), when the "soul felt its worth". This line speaks to the transformative power of Christ's love and sacrifice, and how it imbues meaning and value into human lives.
The song continues with a description of the wise men from the Orient, who are led by the light of the stars to behold the newborn king. The lyrics suggest that the light of faith and the stars represent guidance and hope, respectively, and that together they have led the wise men to journey to Bethlehem. The final verse repeats the refrain of the "thrill of hope" and the "angel voices", underscoring the joy and wonder of Christ's birth. The lyrics, as a whole, show how the birth of Jesus represents a triumph of light over darkness, and hope over despair, and encourages the listener to reflect on the transformative power of Christ in their own life.
Line by Line Meaning
O holy night the stars are brightly shining it is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
This is a special night, where the stars are shining brighter, for it is the night when the beloved Savior was born.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
The world had been lost in sin and confusion for a long time, until the Savior came and gave meaning to people's lives.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
People are filled with excitement for the future, as a new and joyous era is about to begin.
Fall on your knees oh hear the angel voices o night divine o night when Christ was born
This is a momentous and sacred occasion, where people should pay their respects and listen to the heavenly voices, for it is the night when Christ was born.
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
Guided by our faith, we stand peacefully by the Savior's cradle, with our hearts shining bright.
Led by the light of the stars so brightly gleaming Here came the wise men from Orient land
The wise men from the East were led by the light of the bright stars, to come and pay homage to the newborn Savior.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and cloudless morn
Once again, people are filled with hope and joy, as a new day approaches, free from sadness and despair.
Fall on your knees oh hear the angel voices O night divine o night when Christ was born o night divine o night o night divine
Once again, people are reminded of the sacredness of this night, and are called to pay their respects and listen to the angelic voices, for it is a truly divine occasion.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adolphe Adam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind