Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Dresden Kreuzchor (Conducted by Manfred Jung)

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Silent Night was composed and first performed in 1818 by the teacher Franz Xaver Gruber in the small Austrian community of Oberndorf, not far from Salzburg. The lyrics were written in 1816 by the priest Joseph Mohr.

Since the organ of Oberdorf were broken, the two were looking for a musical alternative - and "invented" Silent Night. The song was later transmitted by Tyronlian singers and is now considered to be the World's most popular Christmas carol.

Silent Night has been translated into more then 300 different languages and dialects and exists in variations all over the world.




Stille Nacht (German)

Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818
Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Note: Heute singt man nur die Strophen 1, 6 und 2 (oben) von der originellen Joseph-Mohr-Version (1816).

Silent 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
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

Note: Today only verses 1, 6 and 2 (above) from the original Joseph Mohr version (1816) are sung.

Astro del Ciel (Italian)

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
Mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu che i Vati da lungi sognar,
Tu che angeliche voci nunziar,
Luce dona alle genti
Pace infondi nei cuor!
Luce dona alle genti,
Pace infondi nei cuor!

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
Mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu di stirpe regale decor,
Tu virgineo, mistico fior,
Luce dona alle genti,
Pace infondi nei cuor!
Luce dona alle genti,
Pace infondi nei cuor!

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
Mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu disceso a scontare l'error,
Tu sol nato a parlare d'amor,
Luce dona alle menti,
Pace infondi nei cuor!
Luce dona alle genti,
Pace infondi nei cuor!