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The inception of the Christmas carol we recognize as Silent Night was a poem that was composed in 1816 by an Austrian minister called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the little alpine town called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church was damaged. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his associate Franz Xavier Gruber and the tune for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was done in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time!
The lyrics of Silent Night were written by a Priest called Fr. Joseph Mohr in Mariapfarr, Austria, in 1816 and the music was added by his school teacher acquaintance, Franz Xaver Gruber, in 1818 for the Christmas service at St. Nicholas church in Oberndorf, Austria.
It’s presently one of the most, if the the most, recorded songs in the planet!
LYRICS
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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