Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht
Nana Mouskouri Lyrics


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Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar
„Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'“

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

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht
Die der Welt Heil gebracht
Aus des Himmels goldenen Höhen
Uns der Gnade Fülle lässt sehen
Jesum in Menschengestalt
Jesum in Menschengestalt

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht
Wo sich heut' alle Macht
Väterlicher Liebe ergoß
Und als Bruder huldvoll umschloss
Jesus die Völker der Welt
Jesus die Völker der Welt

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht
Lange schon uns bedacht
Als der Herr, vom Grimme befreit
In der Väter urgrauer Zeit
Aller Welt Schonung verhieß
Aller Welt Schonung verhieß

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Tönt es laut von Ferne und Nah




Jesus, der Retter ist da
Jesus, der Retter ist da

Overall Meaning

The song Stille Nacht heilige Nacht by Nana Mouskouri is a German Christmas carol that has been widely popularized throughout the years. The first verse begins with "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht," which translates to "Silent Night! Holy Night" in English. The song highlights the peacefulness and holiness of the night, as everything is sleeping and only the Holy couple is awake, watching over the newborn baby, Jesus Christ. The lyrics express the idea that the birth of Jesus was a moment of salvation for the world, and that through his incarnation, God's grace and love became tangible and attainable for all people. The repetition of the phrase "Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'" in every verse is a literal plea for the baby Jesus to sleep in heavenly peace, but it also brings into focus the idea of finding peace and rest in God.


Each verse of the song adds new layers of meaning and symbolism to the story of Jesus' birth. In the second verse, he is referred to as "Gottes Sohn," or God's son, which emphasizes the divinity of Jesus. His laughter is a reminder of the joy and happiness his birth brings to the world. The imagery of the angels announcing to the shepherds the good news of Jesus' birth in the third verse adds a new dimension to the story. Lastly, the fourth verse speaks of how Jesus united all people as brothers and sisters, regardless of their nationality or social status.


Nana Mouskouri's rendition of the song is accompanied by a gentle acoustic guitar, simple piano melodies, and soft vocals, which create a serene and calming atmosphere. This version maintains the original German lyrics but adds a touch of Greek folk music with its instrumentation, making it a unique interpretation of the classic carol.


Line by Line Meaning

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht
Quiet night! Holy night


Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Everyone sleeps, lonely (Christ) watches


Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar
Only the trusting, holy couple


„Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar
"Sweet boy with curly hair"


Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'
Sleep in heavenly peace


Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
God's son, oh how he laughs


Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund
Love from your divine mouth


Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'
Where the saving hour strikes for us


Jesus in deiner Geburt
Jesus in your birth


Die der Welt Heil gebracht
Which brought healing to the world


Aus des Himmels goldenen Höhen
From the golden heights of heaven


Uns der Gnade Fülle lässt sehen
Lets us see the abundance of grace


Jesum in Menschengestalt
Jesus in human form


Wo sich heut' alle Macht
Where today all power


Väterlicher Liebe ergoß
Poured out fatherly love


Und als Bruder huldvoll umschloss
And as a brother kindly embraced


Jesus die Völker der Welt
Jesus, the people of the world


Lange schon uns bedacht
Thought of us for a long time


Als der Herr, vom Grimme befreit
As the Lord, freed from anger (wrath)


In der Väter urgrauer Zeit
In the forefathers' ancient times


Aller Welt Schonung verhieß
Promised rest to all the world


Hirten erst kundgemacht
First made known to the shepherds


Durch der Engel Halleluja
Through the angels' hallelujah


Tönt es laut von Ferne und Nah
It resounds loudly from far and near


Jesus, der Retter ist da
Jesus, the savior is here




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joseph Mohr, Franz Xaver Gruber

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Tru Vi

Wunderschön! 🥰❤️ Danke!!! 🙏

Anton J Jansen

This must be one of the BEST ever versions of this song. Nana, you touched me like not many others can. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. A merry christmas to all, and may you be surrounded by love and peace in 2011.

grandprixfan

wenn bei uns in der spätmesse ( ohne schreiende Kinder ) dieses Lied gesungen wird, das Licht gedämpft wird und Kerzen angezündet werden, dann ist das ein Gänsehautmoment pur. Hier perfekt vorgetragen von Nana und meiner Meinung nach das schönste aller Weihnachtslieder..

Breta Bernstein

Absolutely beautiful! My grandmother was from Germany. Every Christmas she would sing Stille Nacht with her beautiful crystal voice.

Olena Goncharuk

My late mother-in-law was from East Prussia, lost to the Soviets... She also sang this beautiful song at Xmas. Good memories.... May God protect you & yours.

Saugekaktus

The most beautiful (and best known) song of the world, sung by a voice that is sent directly from paradise to us; and moreover a wonderful movie that shows and interprets how people experience that God came in our world in Jesus, the Saviour.

Shirley Harrow

Beautiful song sang beautifully. It brings tears to my eyes. Cheers from Scotland.

Madlen Kiriadi

Nana Mouskouri, the voice of angel for the angel's song! She is just awesome. Ευχαριστοθμε πολυ, Νανα!!

Gerd Nestler

Ich find diese griechische Sängerin sehr sehr schön. Kann mich trennen.
Für mich etwas sehr sehr besonderes
Ist immer sehr faszinierend

Anna Koller

What a voice so beautiful, God blessed her with the voice of an Angel.

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