Beautiful storybooks have been written about the true story behind this well-loved Christmas carol, Silent Night. Our family always enjoys reading the book, A Carol for Christmas written by Ann Tompert and illustrated by Laura Kelly during the holiday season. Some mice tell how they were hungry and chewed the leather organ straps so that it could not be played. Let’s have a look at the story behind Silent Night!
On December 24, 1818, Father Joseph Mohr, the assistant parish priest at the St. Nikolaus Catholic Church in Oberndorf, Austria, decided to write the text of a new hymn for the Christmas eve service that night. The organ was not working and could not be repaired in time for the service so the organist, Franz Gruber, wrote the music for guitar. Both text and music were written on the day it was performed for the first time! Father Mohr and Franz Gruber sang Silent Night at the service that evening with the choir joining in on the last two lines. The carol was originally written in German and is known as Stille Nacht, which means “quiet night.” Father Mohr wrote six verses, but most people are only familiar with three verses. This beautiful carol is a favourite of many people around the world.
Silent Night – Christmas Carol
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 Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, 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.
Thank you,wonderful history!
Interesting! It is indeed a beautiful Christmas carol.
Cheers.
A interesting history lesson, I didn’t know that that was how the carol originated. I’ve often sung this in German as I lived there for many many years.
This is a beautiful Christmas carol,interesting history
I shared on FB,the season is almost upon us again
That is a beautiful story and a wonderful inspiring way for the song to be created.I really enjoyed reading this.
I used to live in Toronto and we listened to the most magical story about these church mice and the origins of Silent Night. I’m now 47 and would dearly love to find the radio version of this story…can anyone please help?
Thanks so much.