The Lyrics of the Carol: Silent Night
Silent Night Lyrics
Silent Night lyrics are among the most well-known and beloved Christmas carols worldwide.
The original lyrics were first written in German and later translated to English.
The song celebrates the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the night when Jesus was born.
Find the lyrics to “Silent Night, Holy Night” below.
Silent Night, Holy Night Lyrics
1 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. 2 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!” 3 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! 4 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.”
The Hymn Details
| Hymn | Silent Night, Holy Night |
| Year | 1818 |
| Language | English |
| Author | Joseph Mohr |
| First Line | Silent Night, Holy Night |
| Famous Tune | Stille Nacht |
| Tune Composer | Franz Gruber |
| Meter | Irregular |
| Copyright | Public Domain |
Who Wrote Silent Night Lyrics?
The lyrics for Silent Night Holy Night were written by Joseph Mohr, a Catholic priest from Austria, and the music was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, a schoolteacher.
The song was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at the St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.
Life of the Author: Joseph Mohr
Joseph Mohr was an Austrian Catholic priest and lyricist, best known for writing the lyrics to the famous Christmas carol “Silent Night” (German: “Stille Nacht”).
He was born on December 11, 1792, in Salzburg, Austria.
Mohr came from humble beginnings; his father was a mercenary soldier, and his mother worked as a seamstress.
Because the parents were not married, Joseph was given the name of his godfather (Joseph Wohlmuth), following tradition.
Education
Despite facing financial challenges, he managed to pursue an education with the assistance of Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, the vicar and music leader at Salzburg Cathedral.
Between 1808 and 1810, he pursued studies at the Benedictine monastery of Kremsmünster in the Upper Austria province.
Additionally, he displayed an early interest in music, and Johann Nepomuk Hiernle encouraged him to further develop his skills in music.
During his boyhood, Mohr served as both a singer and a violinist concurrently in the choirs of the University Church and the Benedictine monastery church of St. Peter.
Following his education at the Benedictine monastery, Mohr returned to Salzburg to enroll in the Lyceum school, and by 1811, he had entered the seminary.
Due to his illegitimate birth, a special dispensation was necessary during that era for him to attend the seminary.
Priesthood
On August 21, 1815, Mohr successfully graduated and was ordained as a priest.
Mohr entered the priesthood and was ordained in 1815. He served as an assistant priest in Mariapfarr, a village in the Lungau region of Austria.
Joseph Mohr continued his work as a priest, serving in various parishes in Austria throughout his life. He died on December 4, 1848, in Wagrain, Austria.
Today, he is remembered and honored for his role in creating one of the most iconic and cherished Christmas carols in the world.
The Story of the Christmas Carol: Silent Night
The lyrics to “Silent Night” were written by Mohr in 1816, when he was serving as a young priest in Mariapfarr.
Later, in 1818, while Mohr was serving in the village of Oberndorf, he asked his friend Franz Xaver Gruber, a schoolteacher and musician, to compose music for the poem.
Gruber completed the musical arrangement, and the song was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at St. Nicholas Church parish church in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.
While “Silent Night” gained popularity over the years, Joseph Mohr’s contribution to the Christmas carol was initially not widely recognized.
It was only in the 20th century that Mohr’s role in creating the lyrics gained more attention and appreciation.
The lyrics of “Silent Night” are known for their simplicity and profound representation of the nativity scene.
The original German lyrics consist of six verses, but typically only three are sung. The English translation of the first verse is perhaps the most well-known.
Silent Night Lyrics Translation
In 1859, John Freeman Young, an Episcopal priest serving at Trinity Church in New York City, wrote and published the English translation of “Silent Night” that is most commonly sung today.
He translated three of Joseph Mohr’s original six verses.
The version of the melody we often hear now is a slow, meditative lullaby or pastorale, a bit different from Franz Xaver Gruber’s original, which was a “moderato” tune in 6/8 time with a siciliana rhythm.
Today, both the lyrics and melody are in the public domain, though newer translations may not be.
In 1998, the Silent Night Museum in Salzburg asked Bettina Klein to create a new English translation of Mohr’s German lyrics.
Most of the time, Klein keeps Young’s translation as it is, but sometimes Klein (and Mohr) make notable changes.
For instance, the line “Nur das traute hochheilige Paar, Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar” was translated by Young as “Round yon Virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild,” whereas Klein rephrased it as “Round yon godly tender pair, Holy infant with curly hair,” a translation closer to the original.
“Silent Night” has been translated into numerous languages and has been recorded by countless artists. Remarkably, the carol has been translated into about 300 languages.
Silent Night Performance Video
Music video by André Rieu performing “Silent Night.” This performance was indeed one of the best renditions of “Silent Night.”
Final Note
“Silent Night Lyrics” revolves around the peaceful and sacred nature of the night when Jesus was born.
The carol describes the serene atmosphere, emphasizing the calmness and brightness of the night.
Basically, the focus is on the scene of the virgin mother and her child. It portrays the Holy Infant as tender and mild and calls for the child to sleep in heavenly peace.
Throughout the subsequent verses, the lyrics expand on the significance of Christ’s birth.
The second verse mentions the shepherds who witnessed the glorious event, causing them to quake in awe. The heavenly hosts join in singing “Alleluia,” announcing the birth of Christ the Savior.
Furthermore, the third verse highlights the theological aspect, describing Jesus as the Son of God and the embodiment of love’s pure light.
The imagery of radiant beams from His holy face and the dawn of redeeming grace underscores the spiritual importance of Christ’s birth.
The fourth and final verse continues the celebration of the miraculous birth. It invokes the symbolism of a wondrous star that illuminates the scene.
The angels are called upon to join in singing “Alleluia” in honor of Christ the Savior.
Overall, the “Silent Night lyrics” convey a theme of reverence, joy, and awe at the divine event of the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics indeed emphasize the peace and salvation brought into the world through this holy moment.
It is often sung in churches, homes, and public spaces during the Christmas season. The carol’s enduring popularity is a testament to the emotional resonance and simplicity of its lyrics.
More Timeless Hymn Lyrics
Joy to the World Lyrics.
O Come All Ye Faithful Lyrics.
Shall We Gather at the River Lyrics.
O God, Our Help in Ages Past Lyrics.
Angels From the Realms of Glory Lyrics.
The Hymn Alleluia Sing to Jesus Lyrics.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Lyrics.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Lyrics.
The Lyrics to ‘Once in Royal David’s City.
The The Lyrics Of The Mighty God While Angels Bless Thee.
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