German Song Lyrics
German Christmas Carols
Lyrics in German and English
Stille Nacht - Silent Night
See "About 'Stille Nacht'" below for more about the history of this carol. For a literal English translation of the German, see Part 2.
LISTEN > Melody for "Silent Night" (Midi)
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DEUTSCH Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818 Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818 Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Alles schläft; einsam wacht Nur das traute hochheilige Paar. Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar, Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Hirten erst kundgemacht Durch der Engel Halleluja, Tönt es laut von fern und nah: Christ, der Retter ist da! Christ, der Retter ist da! Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund, Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'. Christ, in deiner Geburt! Christ, in deiner Geburt! Heute singt man nur die Strophen 1, 6 und 2 (oben) von der originellen Joseph-Mohr-Version (1816). |
ENGLISH Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818 Words: John Freeman Young, 1863 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, Heav'nly 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 Today only verses 1, 6 and 2 (above) from the original Joseph Mohr version (1816) are sung. |
MORE > "Stille Nacht" Part 2 - A literal English translation of the German
LISTEN > Melody for "Silent Night" (Midi)
About "Stille Nacht"
The world's most popular Christmas carol was first sung in Austria on Christmas Eve 1818. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863). The words came from the pen of pastor Joseph Franz Mohr (1792-1848). The song was almost lost forever after its first performance in a church in Oberndorf (near Salzburg) to Gruber's guitar accompaniment. (Learn more about the song's history at this Web site: Austria's 'Stille Nacht'.)
The first known performance of "Stille Nacht" in the United States took place near New York City's Trinity Church. In 1839 the Rainer family singers of Austria included the German version of "Stille Nacht" in their repertoire during an appearance at the Alexander Hamilton Monument near the church, some 24 years before an English version of the carol would be published.
Today's most popular English version of "Silent Night" was translated by the Episcopal priest John Freeman Young, assigned at the time to the same Trinity Church associated with the 1839 performance of "Stille Nacht." Reverend Young apparently enjoyed translating European hymns and carols into English, and it is his 1863 "Silent Night" text that is found today in most hymnals and Christmas carol collections published in the English-speaking world.
The original Franz Gruber melody has also been altered slightly, probably during the time when it was being performed in Austria and Bavaria during the 19th century.
MORE > "Stille Nacht" Part 2 - A literal English translation of the German
Adapted from the German Way (with permission): Austria's 'Stille Nacht'
CARDS > Send a free Stille-Nacht-Kapelle German Christmas eCard!
MORE > German Carol Lyrics
Related Pages
"Stille Nacht" Part 2
A literal English prose translation of "Silent Night"—line by line.
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