The Most Popular Christmas Song Of All Times: "Silent Night, Holy Night"
Videos and history of the ultimate Christmas carol: "Silent Night, Holy Night", originally titled in German: "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht". Who wrote Silent Night? Who created this wonderful song? What was the original version of "Silent Night"? How many different versions exist, in how many languages? What are the most beautiful recordings of "Silent Night, Holy Night"? Listen to Christmas music. Find Christmas music downloads and much more on this page.
Silent Night, Holy Night - The Beginning
Who wrote Silent Night?
Sweet childhood memories of a peaceful evening with my parents and my two sisters, real candles on a real tree, a nice heap of exciting presents, and a late-night trip to the Midnight Mass - all this and more connects me with this beautiful tune - "Silent Night, Holy Night". But how did it all begin?
It was in 1816's Mariapfarr, a small Austrian village, when Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics on a piece of paper. Two years later, Franz Gruber composed the melody.
As the story goes, Mohr was the curate of the St. Nicholas church, in Oberndorf, Austria. Their organ had broken down right before Christmas, so he visited his friend Gruber, a school teacher and church organist in nearby Arnsdorf, and asked for a guitar arrangement for his "poem".
Franz Gruber finished the music just in time for the holidays. Backed by the church choir, both men performed "Silent Night, Holy Night", for the first time in history, on Christmas Eve of 1818, at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf , Austria.
Image courtesy of kjd
Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf, Austria
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (German)
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab' im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf' in himmlischer Ruh! (repeat)
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ in deiner Geburt! (repeat)
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Alleluja,
Tönt es laut bei Ferne und Nah:
Christ der Retter ist da! (repeat
The Original Version Of "Silent Night, Holy Night"
Sung by the Innsbrucker Kapell Knaben
The Truly Original Version Of "Silent Night" - The Composer's "Cut"
As written and arranged by Franz Xaver Gruber, almost 200 years ago...
Gruber: Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!/Hornmesse D-dur/Hochzeitsmesse D-dur/Heiligste Nacht
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Franz Xaver Gruber's versions of Silent Night as he had meant it to be performed, plus a number of his other compositions. An amazing piece of music history!
Release Date: 06/09/1993
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Silent Night Around The World
A song creates peace...
Karl Mauracher, a church organ builder from Zillertal, came to St. Nicholas to work on their organ. He took the song back to his hometown, from where two singing families adopted it into their programs. These traveling performers ensured that by the turn of the century "Silent Night" was known on all continents.
Amazingly, even during both World Wars, soldiers of all nationalities ceased their fighting for a few hours on Christmas Eve and sang "Silent Night, Holy Night" in their native languages.
Translated in 300 languages and dialects, recorded by over 300 artist - "Silent Night" is the most successful Christmas carol of all times.
Silent Night, Holy Night (English)
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. (repeat)
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born. (repeat)
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. (repeat)
Enya's Beautiful Irish Version Of Silent Night, Holy Night
Enya's Irish-Gaelic Version
Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé,
Cách 'na suan dís araon,
Dís is dílse 'faire le spéis
Naoín beag gnaoigheal ceananntais caomh
Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh.
Críost, 'na chodhladh go séimh.
Oíche chiúin, oíche Mhic Dé,
Aoirí ar dtús chuala 'n scéal;
Allelúia aingeal ag glaoch.
Cantain suairc i ngar is i gcéin
Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin
Críost an Slánaitheoir Féin
Enya's Angelic Voice For Christmas
A divine match!
![Oiche Chiun (Silent Night) [Maxi Single]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21RH0MKY4EL._SL160_.jpg)
Oiche Chiun (Silent Night) [Maxi Single]
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Release Date: 10/24/1995
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Noche de Paz (Spanish)
Noche de paz, noche de amor,
Todo duerme en derredor.
Entre sus astros que esparcen su luz
Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús
Brilla la estrella de paz
Brilla la estrella de paz
Noche de paz, noche de amor,
Todo duerme en derredor
Sólo velan en la oscuridad
Los pastores que en el campo están;
Y la estrella de Belén
Y la estrella de Belén
Noche de paz, noche de amor,
Todo duerme en derredor;
sobre el santo niño Jesús
Una estrella esparce su luz,
Brilla sobre el Rey
Brilla sobre el Rey.
A Very Special Latin Christmas
DVD with songs and text in Spanish
A Very Special Latin Christmas: Noche de Paz
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Release Date: 11/21/2006
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Precious, Precious! Silent Night With 53 Angels From Japan...
The sound quality is a bit poor, but you don't want to miss this performance!
Japanese Lyrics
Kiyoshi kono yoru hoshi wa hikari
sukui nomiko wa mabune no naka ni
nemuri tamo-o. itoyasuku.
Kiyoshi kono yoru mitsuge ukeshi
makibitotachi wa miko no mimae ni
nukazukinu, kashikomite.
Kiyoshi kono yoru miko no emi ni,
megumi no miyo no ashita no hikari
kagayakeri, hogarakani.
Andrea Bocelli Sings "Sacred Arias"
My favorite tenor...
![Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419DHK8RC8L._SL160_.jpg)
Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD]
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Andrea Bocelli always gives me "goose bumps", teary eyes, you know - I'm "melting" when I hear this voice!
Release Date: 10/14/2003
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Hawaiian Lyrics
Po la`i e, po kamaha`o,
Maluhia, malamalama
Ka makuahine aloha e
Me ke keiki hemolele e
Moe me ka maluhia lani
Moe me ka maluhia lani
Po la`i e, po kamaha`o,
Oni na kahu hipa e
I ko ka lani nani no
Mele na `anela haleluia.
Hanau `ia Kristo ka haku.
Hanau `ia Kristo ka haku.
Po la`i e, po kamaha`o,
Keiki hiwahiwa aloha e,
Ka lama la`i mai luna mai
Me ka lokomaika`i makamae.
Iesu i kou hanau `ana.
Iesu i kou hanau `ana.
French Lyrics
Douce nuit, sainte nuit,
Tout s'endort au dehors,
Le saint couple seul veille
Sur l'enfant qui someille.
Au ciel l'astre reluit
Douce nuit, sainte nuit,
Quel bonheur dans les coeurs,
Quand les bergers entendent
Les saints anges qui chantent:
Il est né, le sauveur
Douce nuit, sainte nuit,
Jetez-vous à genoux.
Bergers, c'est le Méssie,
Jésus, né de Marie,
Dieu, fait homme pour nous
Bianco Natal (Italian)
Bianco Natal,
Santo Natal!
Tutti qua
dormin già,
sol Maria veglia ancor,
un piccino si stringe al cor.
Dormi Gesù bambino
Dormi bimbo divin.
Bianco Natal,
Santo Natal!
Ai pastor
in gran cor
cantan gli angeli: Alleluia,
da Maria è nato il Signor
Cristo il Salvatore,
Cristo il Redentor.
Bianco Natal,
Santo Natal!
Portator
dell' Amor
Dio è nato al freddo e al gel,
per noi scese dall' alto del ciel.
Gloria al nostro Signore
Gloria al nostro Signor.
Celtic Woman Christmas Celebration
Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration (with Christmas Ornament)
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More Nostalgic "Silent Nights"
The Christmas Album: Vienna Boys Choir
Release Date: 12/02/2003
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Silent Night, Holy Night
Release Date: 10/10/1995
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This Christmas, Aretha
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Christmas Gold: Great Christmas Songs: Oh Come All Ye Faithful, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Here Comes Santa Claus, Jingle Bells, O Tannenbaum, Away in a Manger, Oh Holy Night, Auld Lang Syne (Cd)
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Tenor's Christmas
Release Date: 03/26/2002
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So Many Versions To Choose From!
How do you enjoy this classic tune?
Silent Night In Many Different Languages - Even Chinese!
Silent Night in Chongqing, China (With Lyrics in Many Languages)
On Thursday evening 2008-12-18, a New Year Party program was organised in the Multifunctional Program Hall of Chongqing Normal University by Municipal government of chongqing,china.The program was organised specially for Foreign Teachers and International Students in chongqing,china. There were students from more than 10 different countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, Russia, India, Nepal, Iraq, some African countries, etc representing more than 30 Universities of Chongqing in that program. Silent Night (In different languages) was also one of the program performed there. The full version of all these videos can be downloaded from or can be seen online in www.tudou.com or you can go there through this URL or link: http://www.tudou.com/home/_34304327 Silent Night (Christmas Carol) English (International) 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) 2 Indonesian (Indonesia) Malaam kudus, sunyi senyap dunia terlelap juru slamat manusia Telah datang ke dunia (Kristus anak daud) 2 Nepali (Nepal) Shaantmaye raat, shaantmaye raat yeshu Christ kripaanaath biswakaa sarvshrestha taaranhaar liye gothaimaa saat avataar (Bethlehem saharmaa) 2 Swahili (Kenya/ Tanzania) Usiku mkuu, mtakatifu wachunga wahofu waliogopa kuwaona malaika walipoimba (Kristo amezaliwa) 2 Telugu (India) Shuddha ratri, saddhanam ga nandaru nidra povan suddha dampathull melkonanga pari suddhudau baala kundaa (divya nidra pommaa) 2 Chinese (China) Ping an ye, sheng shan ye wan an zhong, guang hua she zhao zhe shen mu ye zhao zhe shen ying, duo shao ci xiang ye duo shao tian zhen (jing xiang tian ci an mian) 2 Da Jia Xin Nian Hao
curated content from YouTube
Generation X-Mas!
Let's hear it from the hip crowd
Merry Christmas
Release Date: 11/01/1994
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My Kind of Christmas
Release Date: 07/01/2004
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8 Days of Christmas
Release Date: 10/30/2001
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Mary Did You Know?: 17 Inspirational Christmas Songs From Today's Top Country Artists
Release Date: 10/09/2007
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Let It Be Christmas
Release Date: 11/05/2002
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Twitter Glitter?
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- archuletafan09
- What Child Is This, Ave Maria, A Merry Christmas To Me, and Silent Night. Then he came back for an encore of O Holy Night.
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- Merdusa55
- silent night holy night all is calm all is bright...is it snowing yet?
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- wjtlplaylist
- 05:55PM - O Holy Night by: Crystal Lewis (One Silent Night, 2000)
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- PianoTutorials
- Piano Blues: Silent Night, Holy Night - Piano Blues: Silent Night, Holy Night - Pia.. http://bit.ly/8NWdVL #piano #blues
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- Sunfell
- @dakiwiboid And another frequently abused song, "O Holy Night" was originally an art song. Still adore Silent Night, and Still, Still Still.
Christmas Music On Amazon
Let Amazon pick them for you...
What Is The True Meaning Of Christmas?
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us
Have A Very Peaceful Christmas!
Thank you for visiting this page...
And a big Thank You for rating this lens and dropping a buck into the donations module above. You are very kind.
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Reply
- Kimsworld Kimsworld Nov 27, 2009 @ 8:07 pm
- My dad used to sing it in German, but I can never remember it all in German. Thank you for a great lens.
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Reply
- Kimsworld Kimsworld Nov 27, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
- My dad used to sing it in german, but I can't remember all it in german. Thank you.
Great lens.
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Reply
- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Nov 23, 2009 @ 2:35 am
- Beautiful song for a beautiful season. Blessed by a Squid Angel.
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Nov 23, 2009 @ 2:35 am
- Beautiful song for a beautiful season. Blessed by a Squid Angel.
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Reply
- BFuniv.com BFuniv.com Nov 18, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
- Wonderful, The Gaelic version was beautiful - they all were. Thanks for setting the stage for a joyous season. A bright and Merry Christmas to all.
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Reply
- OneFootPutt OneFootPutt Nov 18, 2009 @ 11:14 am
- I remember my grandfather everytime I hear the song. Always brings a tear to my eyes.
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Reply
- kimmanleyort kimmanleyort Nov 18, 2009 @ 8:06 am
- I loved hearing these different versions of Silent NIght from all over the world. It is truly a universal song.
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- Heather426 Heather426 Nov 18, 2009 @ 2:39 am
- Love it, blessed.
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- CherylK CherylK Nov 17, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
- Well, it's a beautiful song in any language. I have heard it in Hawaiian and it truly is awesome. But I think my favorite is Andy Williams' rendition. Thanks for putting this together...something special at this time of year.
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Reply
- mysticmama mysticmama Nov 17, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
- I love how you have the lyrics in so many languages...it gives the lns a really "One World" multi-cultural feel...Blessed!
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Single Versions Of "Silent NIght"...
Listen and...maybe...buy, if you like them!
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Lensmaster chefkeem has been a member since January 29 2008, has rated 2,720 lenses, favorited 2,130, and has created 134 lenses from scratch. Achim Thiemermann donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund and Operation Helmet. This member's top-ranked page is "Best Tres Leches Coconut Macaroons". See all my lenses
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A Sleigh Ride Around The World -
Our stops - at a glance:
- Silent Night, Holy Night - The Beginning
- Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (German)
- The Original Version Of "Silent Night, Holy Night"
- The Truly Original Version Of "Silent Night" - The Composer's "Cut"
- Silent Night Around The World
- Silent Night, Holy Night (English)
- Enya's Beautiful Irish Version Of Silent Night, Holy Night
- Enya's Irish-Gaelic Version
- Enya's Angelic Voice For Christmas
- Noche de Paz (Spanish)
- Noche de Paz
- A Very Special Latin Christmas
- Precious, Precious! Silent Night With 53 Angels From Japan...
- Japanese Lyrics
- Andrea Bocelli Sings "Sacred Arias"
- Hawaiian Lyrics
- Sinead O'Connor "Silent Night"
- French Lyrics
- Bianco Natal (Italian)
- Celtic Woman Christmas Celebration
- A Nostalgic Contrast - Andy Williams
- More Nostalgic "Silent Nights"
- So Many Versions To Choose From!
- Silent Night In Many Different Languages - Even Chinese!
- The King Of Bethlehem...
- Generation X-Mas!
- Twitter Glitter?
- Christmas Music On Amazon
- What Is The True Meaning Of Christmas?
- Have A Very Peaceful Christmas!
- Christmas On Squidoo - Celebrate These Wonderful Lenses!
- Single Versions Of "Silent NIght"...
- In the end - a little more about me...
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