An Austrian Christmas Carol in German and English
With Traditional English Lyrics for “Silent Night”
See “About ‘Stille Nacht'” below for more about the history of this carol. For the literal English translation of the original German “Stille Nacht” see “Stille Nacht” – Part 1.
The altar of the “Silent Night” chapel in Oberndorf, Austria. There is also a Silent Night Museum nearby. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo
John Freeman Young’s “Silent Night” (1863)
The original words and music for “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”) were created in Austria by Joseph Mohr (words) and Franz Xaver Gruber (melody). Following its first performance in Oberndorf, Austria in 1818, it took decades before “Stille Nacht” became the worldwide Christmas classic it is today. The English lyrics were not written until 1863 by the Episcopal priest John Freeman Young. Today “Stille Nacht” is sung in almost every language on the planet.
See more about this carol below.
“Silent Night”“Stille Nacht” |
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| Deutsch (German) | English |
|---|---|
| Musik: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818 Text: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818 In Oberndorf, Austria |
Melody: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818 Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818 English by John Freeman Young, 1863 |
| 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! |
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 |
| 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! |
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 |
| 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! |
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 (on the left) from the original Joseph Mohr version (1816) are sung.
MORE > The Original German lyrics for this carol with a literal English translation |
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About “Silent Night”
Buy this CD from Amazon.com
Kaufen Sie diese CD von Amazon.de
This CD has 22 carols in German, including two versions of ‘Stille Nacht’! Artists: Freddy Quinn, Hermann Prey Orchestra, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Jonny Hill and others
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. To hear Gruber’s original melody, see the video link below.
More | Austria’s “Stille Nacht” (the history of this carol)
VIDEO: “Stille Nacht” (In German with the original Gruber melody. ORF TV)
More | German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
Related Pages
AT THE GERMAN WAY
- “Stille Nacht” – The original German lyrics with a literal English translation
- German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
- Austria’s ‘Stille Nacht’ – Our “Silent Night” page has the true story and related links.
- Christmas from A to Z – German Christmas traditions and terms
- Advent and Christmas – The “arrival”
- Advent Calendar – Enjoy the German Way Christmas Facts Advent Calendar
- Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe – An overview of the top Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- Photo Gallery: Christmas in Germany – Berlin – A visual tour of Christmas markets and other December sights in Berlin
- Christmas and Advent Quiz – A fun self-scoring quiz on Christmas customs and dates. Study up!
- Christmas in the USA and Germany– A comparison chart
- Holidays and Celebrations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
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