O Holy Night : Four Great Recordings : Caruso, Lanza, Bjorling and Pavarotti

The Caruso, Lanza and Bjorling recordings are improved restorations and I have also included Pavarotti because some listeners said that they preferred his recording.
I have added applause just to give a live effect and to give a smooth transition between tracks.
0:00 Enrico Caruso Cantique de Noel 23rd Feb 1916 The original song, sung in French
4:15 Mario Lanza O Holy Night May 1950 The English version.
8:24 Jussi Bjorling O Helga Natt (O Holy Night) 8th Feb 1959 Sung in Swedish.
13:30 Luciano Pavarotti O Holy Night/Cantique de Noel 1976 Sung in English and French.
17:45 Pavarotti (first verse)/Caruso (second verse).Just to give Caruso a more even playing field for a change, I have down graded Pavarotti's recording to approximately the same quality as Caruso's by converting the stereo to mono,reducing the bass and treble and adding a little noise.Caruso's is the original 1916 recording that I used to produce my enhanced version at the beginning of the video..
The text of Cantique de Noel was written by French wine merchant and poet Placide Cappeau in 1843.Soon afterwards a French composer Adolphe Adam composed the music.The original poem was called "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) and an American Minister,John Sullivan Dwight produced the well known O Holy Night translation in 1855, although it's more of a translation of the sentiments of the original song than a literal translation of the words, .
Unfortunately Caruso's recording was made nine years before the great innovation of microphones and electrical recordings and, as a result, the audio quality is poor compared to that of the other two recordings.
An English translation of Cantique de Noel is as follows:-
Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour,
When God as man descended unto us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Saviour.

People on your knees, await your deliverance.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

May the ardent light of our Faith
Guide us all to the cradle of the infant,
As in ancient times a brilliant star
Guided the Oriental kings there.
The King of Kings was born in a humble manger;
O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness,

It is to your pride that God preaches.
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!
Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

The Redeemer has broken every bond
The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.
He sees a brother where there was only a slave,
Love unites those whom iron had chained.
Who will tell Him of our gratitude,
For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.

People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

The words of John Sullivan Dwight's English version are:-
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,
Till He appear'd 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 angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

(THE FOLLOWING ADVERT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME AND I CANNOT REMOVE IT)

Видео O Holy Night : Four Great Recordings : Caruso, Lanza, Bjorling and Pavarotti канала Michael McGrail