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...
Silent Night / Horn Mass / Wedding Mass
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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
Jackie Evancho "O Holy Night"
Remember her from "America's Got Talent"?
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 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
Amazon Price: $1.00 (as of 02/16/2012)
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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/51%2BO5twY-CL._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)
Amazon Price: $11.10 (as of 02/16/2012)
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Release Date: 10/03/2006
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More Nostalgic "Silent Nights"
So Many Versions To Choose From!
How do you enjoy this classic tune?
Generation X-Mas!
Let's hear it from the hip crowd
Christmas Music On Amazon
Let Amazon pick them for you...
What Is The True Meaning Of Christmas?
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Have A Very Peaceful Christmas!
Thank you for visiting this page...
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Tipi
Dec 23, 2011 @ 9:34 am | delete
- Returning with fresh angel dust for this wondrous blessing to all..
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d-artist
Dec 20, 2011 @ 6:13 pm | delete
- Für Dich Chefkeem ein schönes Weihnachtsfest und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr.!
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ajgodinho Dec 18, 2011 @ 2:54 pm | delete
- Definitely one of my favourite Christmas songs. Wishing you and yours a Wonderful and Blessed Christmas season, Chefkeem...blessings my friend! :)
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DebMartin
Dec 18, 2011 @ 12:34 pm | delete
- And you too, my friend. Peace and much love, d
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Susan52
Dec 12, 2011 @ 12:42 pm | delete
- Wonderful to re-visit this fabulously complete lens. Thank you, Chef!
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Duane_Jackson
Dec 10, 2011 @ 1:53 am | delete
- Lovely idea for a Holiday lens! Much enjoyed!
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mbgphoto
Dec 9, 2011 @ 1:59 pm | delete
- Beautiful! Blessed
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wordstock
Dec 29, 2010 @ 11:05 am | delete
- Came back to bless this one. Great job. Although it was lensrolled to mine, they are very different.
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wordstock
Dec 28, 2010 @ 11:53 pm | delete
- Lensrolling this to my "silent Night". This is awesome.
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Sojourn
Dec 22, 2010 @ 1:14 am | delete
- Truly beautiful in any language. I can just imagine what the Jackie Evancho version sounds like - she's got the voice of an angel! I don't think I'd heard this song yet this Christmas and what a great way to come across it. Wonderful!
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Christmas On Squidoo - Celebrate These Wonderful Lenses!
Single Versions Of "Silent NIght"...
Listen and...perhaps...buy, if you like them!
In the end - a little more about me...
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"
- Jackie Evancho "O Holy Night"
- Silent Night Around The World
- Silent Night, Holy Night (English)
- 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!
- 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...
This Happy Snowman page written by
chefkeem
Seasons Greetings from the Wonderland
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