O Holy Night
Mariah Carey Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

O Holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til 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
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine, yeah
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine (O night divine)
Ooh, yes, it does (O night divine)
Oh, it is the night of our dear Savior's birth (O night divine)
Oh (O night divine)
The weary world, weary world rejoices (O night divine)
O night divine (it was a holy, holy, holy, oh oh oh)
O night divine (oh, oh, oh, yes, it was)
O night, yeah (yeah)
O night divine
O night, Holy night

(O night, O night divine)
(O night, O night divine)

Overall Meaning

The iconic Christmas carol 'O Holy Night' is an adaption of a French poem called 'Minuit, chrétiens', which translates to 'Midnight, Christians'. The English lyrics of this song were penned by John Sullivan Dwight in 1855, who was a Unitarian minister, journalist and music teacher. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but Mariah Carey's version is particularly notable for her strong, emotive vocals and her trademark vocal runs.


The first verse of the song sets the scene for the birth of Jesus Christ on a peaceful, starry night. The second verse speaks of the hope and joy that the birth of Jesus brings to a world that was previously trapped in sin and darkness. The third and final verse is a call to worship, with the repeated refrain of 'O night divine' urging people to fall to their knees in reverence and awe for the miracle of Christ's birth.


The song is often sung in churches and at Christmas concerts, as well as featuring in countless TV shows and films, including the popular Christmas movie 'Home Alone'. Its powerful message of hope and celebration has made it an enduring classic of the Christmas season.


Line by Line Meaning

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
The extremely peaceful and divine night is lit up by the shining stars.


It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
This night marks the birth of the beloved and adored Savior.


Long lay the world, in sin and error pining
The world was lost and in desperation due to the burden of sin and mistakes.


'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
The arrival of the Savior brought new worth, value, and hope to the souls of people.


A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
The world that was tired and despairing now feels a surge of optimism and happiness.


For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn
A bright and magnificent morning brings the prospect of a new beginning.


Fall on your knees
Out of reverence and respect, kneel in worship.


O hear the angels' voices
The ethereal and divine voices of the angels are heard.


O night divine
This was an extraordinary and heavenly night.


O night when Christ was born
The night that marked the birth of Christ.


O night divine
This was an extraordinary and heavenly night.


O night
This was a night worthy of celebration and praise.


O night divine
This was an extraordinary and heavenly night.


Ooh, yes it was (O night divine)
Indeed, it was an extraordinary and heavenly night.


Yeah, that is that night of our dear Savior's birth
Yes, that was the historic and momentous night on which our beloved Savior was born.


(O night divine) oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah, yeah
This extraordinary and heavenly night was a momentous occasion, a cause for excitement and celebration.


(O night divine) it was a holy, holy, holy, oh, oh, oh
This was one of the holiest and most divine nights ever.


(O night divine) yes, it was
There is no doubt that this was an extraordinary and heavenly night.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Walter Afanasieff, Mariah Carey, Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@lenynadeak2349

Oh, Holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt it's 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
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh night
Oh, night divine
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
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh, night divine!
(Oh, night divine)
(Oh, night divine)
(Oh, night divine)
(Oh night divine)
(Oh, night divine)



@yenotzmanurung857

O Holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til 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
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night
When Christ was born
O night divine
O night
O night divine
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For Yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night
When Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine



All comments from YouTube:

@ohjingga9709

I'm a Muslim born on Christmas day. I love my religion. But sometimes I really like listening to Christmas songs, it makes me feel calm and happier

@tamara3713

Maybe you could recommend a calming song a Christian could appreciate

@jamprin

Music is for all♥️

@fionaredican2249

I did a raw cover of this song on my youtube channel. I would really appreciate it if you had a look at it. 🙏💫😊

@---ky4xu

@@tamara3713 Christmas Steelpan Mix 🎶❤️🎄https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Tn2vTSwmc3xyv5cXHsiwJaFwDM-Kxs7

@---ky4xu

.

215 More Replies...

@barney9008

Who's watching this in the middle of the year because you don't care that it's not Christmas.

@maevarazafitrimo8953

me xD

@silverholmes897

me

@onelove1081997

I thought I was the only one hahah

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