Although the King's Singers are almost exclusively acappella in their live performances, they sometimes use one or two musical instruments to provide minimal accompaniment in their studio recordings.
Stille Nacht
The King's Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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,
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!
The song "Stille Nacht" or "Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol that was written by Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Xaver Gruber. The King's Singers version of the song is in German and captures the essence of the original lyrics. The first stanza, "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, alles schläft einsam wacht," describes the stillness and holiness of the night, which is only interrupted by the holy couple and their child. The image of a sleeping world is contrasted with the vigilance of the holy family, who are aware of the significance of the night.
The second stanza, "Hirten erst kundgemacht durch der Engel Halleluja, tönt es laut von fern und nah," discusses how the shepherds were informed of the birth of Christ by the angels singing "Hallelujah". This announcement was heard both near and far, causing all to know that the savior was born. The stanza ends with the powerful message, "Christ, der Retter ist da!" which translates to "Christ, the Savior is born!"
Finally, the third stanza, "Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund, da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'," praises Jesus, the Son of God, and how his birth brings about the moment of salvation. The lyrics speak of Jesus' love and how he is the ultimate source of hope for humanity. The song concludes with the powerful line, "Christ, in deiner Geburt!" which translates to "Christ, in your birth!"
Line by Line Meaning
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
A quiet and holy night,
Alles schläft einsam wacht
Everything is sleeping while watching alone.
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Only the trusted and holy couple is present.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
A cherubic boy with curly hair.
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
A quiet and holy night,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Shepherds were the first to be told.
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
By the angels' 'Hallelujah,'
Tönt es laut von fern und nah
It resounds loudly from far away and near.
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, the Savior is here!
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, the Savior is here!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
A quiet and holy night,
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 us.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in your birth!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in your birth!
Lyrics © RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRADITIONAL, ANDREA WASSE, JASON SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@judylearn7971
My grandfather was born in 1893. His parents died in an epidemic when he was three years old. He was placed into an orphanage in Louisville, KY, run by German Protestant Lutherans. It was a Dickensian childhood (and not in a good way), but he learned German, and each Christmas would sing "Stille nacht" in his beautiful bass-baritone. He would have loved this wonderful version. Thank you King Singers for the music, and for recalling this sweet memory of my Paw-Paw.
@user-jb5go5pi1i
Votre cher grand-père chante avec eux quand il les entend depuis l´univers de la résurrection où maintenant il se trouve en vous attendant et c´est un beau risque à courir que d´opter pour cette hypothèse ... , cf vers la fin du Phédon "καλός γαρ ο κίνδυνος " ( = beau en effet le risque-à-courir ) .
@user-jb5go5pi1i
J´espère que vous êtes encore vivant et je vous embrasse ,
Joyeux Noël , et comme on dit en Provence " bon bout d´an " ...
@dgb253
The King's Singers - consistently brilliant from generation to generation.
@salomonvanstaden2281
Absolute beautiful.
@joergwillrich9404
Sehr gut, ich habe noch keine bessere Version gehört. Ich muss sagen, 'VERDAMMT GEIL !!!'.
So fühlt sich Weihnachten an. DANKE !!!
@z.bogataj5686
So wunderschön arrangiert und gesungen! 🙏👏 Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund', Christ ' in deiner Geburt! "🙏
@tatatatartine2588
The unisson of the 2 barytons is IN-CRE-Di-BLE !!!!!
@lydialangfordjoiner765
There are no words to describe the beauty of their songs. Thank you, thank you!
@brentfoley3896
Just when I think I'm tired of this hymn, this premiers and it's fresh and beautiful again! Thank you and brilliantly done!