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!

MIDI from The Cyber Hymnal
info from The Cyber Hymnal

Words: Josef Mohr, circa 1816-1818. Stanzas 1 & 3 translated from German to English by

John Freeman Young (1820-1885); translator of stanzas 2 & 4: anonymous.
Music: Stille Nacht," Franz Xaver Gruber, circa 1820.

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,

there seemslittle doubt the words and music to this heavenly song were divinely inspired. Small wonder this

is the most popular Christmas carol in the Cyber Hymnal, and a favorite of Christians worldwide for

almost 200 years.

 

Read the popular myth about Silent Night as related by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

 

Read about recent research on Silent Night as related by Bill Drennon