Silent Night Holy Night
Andre Kostelanetz/St. Killian Boys' Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly 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
The song Silent Night Holy Night is a beautiful hymn filled with imagery that takes the listener to the scene of the Nativity. The opening lines "Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright" create a sense of peacefulness and set the stage for the rest of the song. The reference to the Virgin Mary and her child is a direct tie to the Christian story of the birth of Jesus. The lines "Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace" also give a sense of tranquility and create an air of reverence for the newborn baby.
In the second verse, the song takes the listener to the fields, where the shepherds witness the miraculous event. "Shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born" all create an image of the angels descending from heaven to deliver the good news that the Messiah has arrived. The third and final verse once again ties back to the birth of Jesus, this time emphasizing his divinity. "Son of God, love's pure light, radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth" emphasizes Jesus' role as the Son of God and his ultimate mission to redeem humanity.
Overall, the song is a beautiful celebration of the birth of Christ and the joy that it brought to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night, holy night
A peaceful and sacred evening
All is calm, all is bright
Everything is tranquil and illuminated
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
The image of Mary and Jesus, mother and son together
Holy infant so tender and mild
The newborn baby is pure and gentle
Sleep in heavenly peace
Resting in a peaceful and heavenly environment
Shepherds quake at the sight
The shepherds tremble in response to the scene before them
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly beauty shines down from the sky
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Angels sing praises of Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Jesus Christ, born to save mankind
Son of God, love's pure light
Jesus Christ, a symbol of divine love and light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
A bright light shines from Jesus Christ's holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
With the salvation of all human beings just beginning
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, the Lord, born on this holy night
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Louise Breen
Nothing like hearing young voices. So pure and clear.
Patricia PALMER
I'm a proud graduate of St. Kilian's School. I grew up in the parish listening to the boy choir at Christmas mass & other celebrations. THANK YOU so much for uploading this. I have the LP but rarely listen to it. Merry Christmas!