Together with Josef Mohr (original German lyrics), a Catholic priest, Gruber composed the Christmas carol Silent Night. On December 24, 1818, Mohr, an assistant pastor at St. Nicholas, showed Gruber a six-stanza poem he had written in 1816. He asked Gruber to write a melody and guitar arrangement for the poem. At Christmas Mass, while Mohr played his guitar, the two men sang "Stille Nacht" for the first time. The St. Nicholas choir repeated the last two lines of each verse.
In later years, Gruber wrote additional arrangements of the carol for organ and for organ with orchestra. He wrote dozens[weasel words] of other carols and masses. Carols and masses done by Gruber are still in print and sung today in Austrian churches.
Stille Nacht
Franz Gruber Lyrics
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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 kund gemacht
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
The lyrics of Franz Gruber's song "Stille Nacht heilige Nacht" ("Silent Night, Holy Night") depict a serene and sacred scene of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse begins with "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" ("Silent night, holy night"), emphasizing the stillness and sacredness of the moment. The words "Alles schläft, einsam wacht nur das traute hochheilige Paar" ("All are sleeping, alone watches only the beloved holy couple") suggest that Mary and Joseph, with their newborn son, Jesus Christ, are the only ones awake and present in the manger. The phrase "Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar" ("Fair-haired infant, all divine") describes the newborn Jesus as a beautiful and divine infant with curly hair, further emphasizing the beauty and purity of this moment. The final two lines of the verse, "Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh' / Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'" ("Sleep in heavenly peace / Sleep in heavenly peace"), reinforce the peacefulness and serenity of the scene and offer a prayerful wish for Jesus’ rest.
The second verse describes the announcement of Christ's birth to the shepherds, with the words "Hirten erst kund gemacht / Durch der Engel Halleluja tönt es laut von fern und nah" ("Shepherds quake at the sight / Glories stream from heaven afar"). The shepherds are in awe and fear at this magnificent and unexpected event, as the angels sing "Hallelujah" to announce the birth of the savior of the world. The final two lines of the verse, "Christ der Retter ist da / Christ der Retter ist da" ("Christ, the savior, is born / Christ, the savior, is born"), echoes the glad tidings brought by the angels.
The final verse emphasizes the divine nature of the infant Christ: "Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht lieb aus Deinem Göttlichen Mund / Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund' / Christ in Deiner Geburt" ("Son of God, love’s pure light / Radiant beams from thy holy face / With the dawn of redeeming grace / Jesus Lord, at thy birth"). This verse celebrates the joy and hope brought by the birth of Jesus, who is recognized as the Son of God and the one who brings redemption and salvation to humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Silent night, holy night
Alles schläft, einsam wacht nur das traute hochheilige Paar
All sleep, lonely watch only the dear holy couple
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar
Holding boy with curly hair
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'
Sleep in heavenly peace
Hirten erst kund gemacht
Shepherds made aware first
Durch der Engel Halleluja tönt es laut von fern und nah
With the angels' hallelujah, it sounds loudly from afar and near
Christ der Retter ist da
Christ the Savior is here
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht lieb aus Deinem Göttlichen Mund
Son of God, oh how lovely it laughs from your divine mouth
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'
When the saving hour strikes us
Christ in Deiner Geburt
Christ in your birth
Lyrics © editionPlus Verlags GmbH, Edition Intro Meisel, Histoire et Chansons, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind