Silent Night

Silent Night, Holy Night is probably the most famous Christmas carol in the world. The song was first performed in Salzburg in the church of St. Nikolai with a melody by Franz Xaver Gruber and lyrics by Joseph Mohr. To date, the song has been translated into 320 languages and dialects and in 2011 it was named an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage of Austria.

The song was written during a difficult time. The Napoleonic wars had come to an end, new national borders were drawn, families were separated, sailors lost their jobs and people found comfort and hope in these times. This is reflected above all in the last verse, which expresses a particular longing for peace.

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 Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour 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!

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