Silent Night

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night,
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,
Shepherds first saw the light,
Heard resounding clear and long,
Far and near, the angel song:
Christ the Saviour is here,
Christ the Saviour is here.

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, oh, how bright
Love is smiling from thy face,
Peals for us the hour of grace.
Christ our Saviour is born,
Christ our Saviour is born.

The History
The Christmas Eve of 1818 was at hand.
Pastor Joseph Mohr of St. Nicholas Church
in Oberndorf decided that he needed a carol
for the Christmas Eve service.
The little poem he had written two years
earlier while serving at the pilgrim church
in Mariapfarr just might work.
Perhaps this poem could be set to music.
He hurried off to see his friend,
Franz Xaver Gruber,
who was a schoolteacher and also
served as the church's
organist and choir master.
Maybe he could help. He did.

In a few short hours Franz came up with
the hauntingly beautiful melody that is so
loved and revered to this day.
At the request of Joseph, who had a
special love for his guitar,
Franz composed the music for
guitar accompaniment.
Just short hours later,
Franz stood with his friend the pastor,
Joseph, in front of the altar
in St. Nicholas church
and introduced "Stille Nacht"
to the congregation.

You are listening to 1820 manuscript
version by Joseph Mohr