An Austrian Christmas Carol in German and English
With a Literal English Translation of the Original German
See “About ‘Stille Nacht'” below for more about the history of this Austrian Christmas carol. For a more detailed account of how this Christmas song came to be see Stille Nacht/Silent Night: The True Story.
For the standard English version created by John Freeman Young in 1863, see “Silent Night” – Lyrics.
The original “Silent Night” Chapel adorned with snow in Oberndorf, Austria. This chapel stands on the site of the original “Silent Night” church that was later damaged in a flood and rebuilt on the other side of the river. PHOTO: www.magnaimages.com
See more about this carol below.
“Stille Nacht”“Silent Night” |
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| Deutsch (German) | English |
|---|---|
| Musik: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818 Text: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818 In Oberndorf, Austria |
Melody: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818 Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816/1818 Literal English prose translation: H. Flippo |
| 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! |
Silent night, holy night All is sleeping, alone watches Only the close, most holy couple. Blessed boy in curly hair, Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace! |
| 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! |
Silent night, holy night, Shepherds just informed By the angels’ hallelujah, It rings out far and wide: Christ the Savior is here! Christ the Savior is here! |
| 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! |
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, oh how laughs Love out of your divine mouth, For now the hour of salvation strikes for us. Christ, in Thy birth! Christ, in Thy birth! |
| MORE > Traditional English lyrics for this carol, with German lyrics as well BACK > German Christmas Carol Lyrics The German Way – www.german-way.com |
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| “Stille Nacht” Printable PDF from The German Way PDF: “Stille Nacht” German and English lyrics Click on this PDF link to view a printable PDF version of this carol in new tab! |
About “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”)
Buy this CD from Amazon.com
Kaufen Sie diese CD von Amazon.de
This CD has 22 carols in German, including two versions of ‘Stille Nacht’! Artists: Freddy Quinn, Hermann Prey Orchestra, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Jonny Hill and others
The world’s most popular Christmas carol was first sung in Austria on Christmas Eve 1818. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863). The words came from the pen of pastor Joseph Franz Mohr (1792-1848). The song was almost lost forever after its first performance in a church in Oberndorf (near Salzburg) to Gruber’s guitar accompaniment.
The first known performance of “Stille Nacht” in the United States took place near New York City’s Trinity Church. In 1839 the Rainer family singers of Austria included the German version of “Stille Nacht” in their repertoire during an appearance at the Alexander Hamilton Monument near the church, some 24 years before an English version of the carol would be published.
Today’s most popular English version of “Silent Night” was translated by the Episcopal priest John Freeman Young, assigned at the time to the same Trinity Church associated with the 1839 performance of “Stille Nacht.” Reverend Young apparently enjoyed translating European hymns and carols into English, and it is his 1863 “Silent Night” text that is found today in most hymnals and Christmas carol collections published in the English-speaking world.
The original Franz Gruber melody has also been altered slightly, probably during the time when it was being performed in Austria and Bavaria during the 19th century.
MORE | Stille Nacht/Silent Night: The True Story (German Way)
VIDEO: “Stille Nacht” (Clare College Singers – with German lyrics displayed as sung)
View this video on YouTube
More | German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
Related Pages
AT THE GERMAN WAY
- German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
- Austria’s ‘Stille Nacht’ – Our “Silent Night” page has the true story and related links.
- Christmas from A to Z – German Christmas traditions and terms
- Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe – An overview of the top Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- Photo Gallery: Christmas in Germany – Berlin – A visual tour of Christmas markets and other December sights in Berlin
- Advent and Christmas – The “arrival”
- Christmas in the USA and Germany– A comparison chart
- Holidays and Celebrations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
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