"There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them." Luke 2:8-9
| Words: Josef Mohr, circa 1816-1818. Stanzas 1 & 3 translated from German to English by John Freeman Young, 1863; translator of stanzas 2 & 4: anonymous. Music: "Stille Nacht," Franz Xaver Gruber, circa 1820
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This hymn's history is the source of some disagreement. The traditional story is that Mohr (1792-1848) and Gruber (1787-1863) wrote it in Oberndorf, Austria, on Christmas Eve when they discovered the church organ was broken (different versions say it rusted out, or mice chewed through vital parts). However, recent evidence indicates this may be only folklore. An old manuscript has reportedly been discovered thatshows Franz Gruber wrote the score 2-4 years after Mohr wrote the lyrics. Whatever the truth, this Christmas carol has been a favorite of Christians worldwide for almost 200 years.
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 quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
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.
Silent night, holy night
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
ALTERNATE TRANSLATION
HOLY NIGHT
Holy night, peaceful night!
Through the darkness beams a light
There, where they sweet vigils keep
O'er the Babe in silent sleep;
Resting in heavenly peace,
Resting in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holiest night!
Darkness flies and all is light!
Shepherds hear the angels sing;
"Hallelujah! hail the King!
Jesus, the Savior is here,
Jesus, the Savior is here."
Holiest night, peaceful night!
Child of heaven, O how bright
Thou didst smile when Thou was born;
Blessèd was that happy morn,
Full of heavenly joy,
Full of heavenly joy.
ALTERNATE TRANSLATION
HOLY NIGHT
Translated from German to English by Jane Montgomery Campbell, 1863.
Holy night! Peaceful Night!
All is dark, save the light
Yonder where they sweet vigil keep
O'er the Babe who in silent sleep
Rests in heavenly peace,
Rests in heavenly peace.
Holy Night! Peaceful Night!
Only for shepherds' sight
Came blest visions of angel throngs,
With their loud alleluia songs,
Saying, Christ is come,
Saying, Christ is come.
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