Stille Nacht heilige Nacht
Thomanerchor Leipzig 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.
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Die der Welt Heil gebracht,
Aus des Himmels goldenen Höh'n
Uns der Gnade Fülle läßt seh'n
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 befreyt,
In der Väter urgrauer Zeit
Aller Welt Schonung verhieß!
Aller Welt Schonung verhieß!
The first stanza of Thomanerchor Leipzig's song "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" describes a peaceful and holy night where everything is still and quiet. Only the holy couple, with their beautiful child with curly hair, are awake. The lyrics paint a picture of a serene and peaceful scene, with the child sleeping in heavenly peace. The second stanza talks about how the shepherds were the first to hear the news of the savior's birth through the angels' hallelujah. The message of Christ, the savior who has come to save, is communicated loudly and clearly, ringing throughout the valleys and hills.
In the third stanza, the song becomes more personal, speaking directly to Christ. The lyrics talk about how Jesus, God's son, brought love and joy with his arrival on earth. The "saving hour" refers to the hour when Christ was born. The fourth stanza speaks more broadly about the impact of Christ's birth, emphasizing how it brought salvation to the world. Through his birth, we can see the fullness of God's grace, shown in the form of Jesus, who took human form.
Finally, the song ends with emphasis on the fact that Jesus came to the world to embrace everyone lovingly as brothers and sisters. The power of paternal love was extended to everyone, no matter their background, race, or status in society. The song celebrates the message of peace, love, and hope that Jesus brought to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Silent night, holy night!
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
All are sleeping, alone watches
Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar.
Only the intimate, holy couple.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Lovely boy with curly hair,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht!
Silent night, holy night!
Hirten erst kundgemacht,
Shepherds first made aware,
Durch der Engel Halleluja.
By the angels' hallelujah.
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
It resounds loudly from afar 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!
Silent night, holy night!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
God's son, how he laughs
Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Love from your divine mouth,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'
When the redeeming hour strikes for us,
Christ, in deiner Geburt,
Christ, in your birth,
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in your birth!
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Silent night, holy night!
Die der Welt Heil gebracht,
Bringing healing to the world,
Aus des Himmels goldenen Höh'n
From the golden heights of heaven
Uns der Gnade Fülle lässt seh'n
Showing us the abundance of grace,
Jesum in Menschengestalt!
Jesus in human form!
Jesum in Menschengestalt!
Jesus in human form!
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Silent night, holy night!
Wo sich heut alle Macht
Where today all power
Väterlicher Liebe ergoß
Pours out of paternal love
Und als Bruder huldvoll umschloß
And as a brother embraced us graciously,
Jesus die Völker der Welt!
Jesus, the savior of the world!
Jesus die Völker der Welt!
Jesus, the savior of the world!
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Silent night, holy night!
Lange schon uns bedacht,
Long has he thought of us
Als der Herr vom Grimme befreyt,
When the Lord freed us from wrath,
In der Väter urgrauer Zeit
In the ancient time of our fathers
Aller Welt Schonung verhieß!
Promising mercy to all the world!
Aller Welt Schonung verhieß!
Promising mercy to all the world!
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.