Silent Night

Silent Night was originally a German song written by the Austrian priest Father Josef Mohr. Its melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber. It was first performed in Oberndorf, Austria on December 24, 1818 although the lyrics were written two years earlier, in 1816. The English lyrics were written by John Freeman Young in 1863.

In 1914, during World War I, this song was sung simultaneously in English and German by troops during the Christmas truce. The 2002 movie Silent Night immortalizes the power of the song and the impact it had to the warring troops.


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,
Heav'nly 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