Stille Nacht
Weihnachtslieder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Tönt es laut von Ferne und Nah
Christ, der Retter ist da
Christ, der Retter ist da
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Gottes Sohn, oh 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" (Silent Night) is a Christmas carol that originated in Austria in the early 19th century. The opening lyrics, "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" (Silent night, holy night), describe the peaceful and sacred nature of the night where everything is asleep, but the holy couple is awake. The second line, "Alles schläft, einsam wacht" (All is asleep, alone he watches), describes the contrast between the sleeping world and the consciousness of the couple, who are watching over their newborn child. The next line, "Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar" (Only the trusted, holy couple), speaks to the special bond between the holy couple, and their role in welcoming the infant Jesus.
The third line, "Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar" (Sweet boy with curly hair), refers to the infant Jesus and his peaceful and untroubled demeanor. The final two lines of the verse, "Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh/ Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'" (Sleep in heavenly peace/ Sleep in heavenly peace), echo the sense of tranquility and peace that surrounds the child.
The second verse, "Hirten erst kundgemacht/ Durch der Engel Halleluja" (Shepherds first made aware/ By the angels' hallelujah), tells of the shepherds who were the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth. The angels' hallelujah that rings out from afar is a symbol of the universal significance of this event, which brings joy and hope to all people. The final line of the verse, "Christ, der Retter ist da/ Christ, der Retter ist da" (Christ, the Savior is born/ Christ, the Savior is born), celebrates the arrival of Jesus, who is seen as the savior of humanity.
The third verse, "Gottes Sohn, oh wie lacht/ Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund/ Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'/ Christ in deiner Geburt" (God's son, oh how he laughs/ Love from your divine mouth/ That the saving hour strikes for us/ Christ in your birth), acknowledges Jesus as God's son and savior of humanity, who brings light into the world.
Overall, the song "Stille Nacht" is a beautiful and peaceful song that encapsulates the joy and significance of the Christmas season.
Line by Line Meaning
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
A peaceful and holy night
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Everything is asleep, but one is keeping watch all alone
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar
Only the beloved and holy couple
„Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar
Sweet baby with curly hair
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'
Sleep in heavenly peace
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Shepherds are the first to know
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Announced by angels' hallelujah
Tönt es laut von Ferne und Nah
Echoes loudly from far and near
Christ, der Retter ist da
Christ, the savior has come
Gottes Sohn, oh 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'
The hour of our salvation has come
Christ in deiner Geburt
Christ in your birth
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@j.chiari4222
That’s Jesus Christ calling you to His embrace! Isaiah 9:6 says
"[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. "
Then the Gospel of John, chapter 1:
"[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Welcome Jesus into your heart this Christmas! I'm happy to talk more and provide more explanations
@peggywhyte3725
59 years ago my Gramma Kittler would sing silent night in German, every year. Hearing this brings back many good memories. she passed in 1963 and now, all the family's gone, they can all get together in heaven, and I will join them when my time comes
@SharonSchwinge-jp6so
My husband Wolfgang passed away in 2022. This was his favourite Christmas carol. When I hear this carol I get tears in my eyes. It brings back memories.
@susanrochford1906
XX Hugs❤❤❤
@SharonSchwinge-jp6so
Thankyou. Merry Christmas.
@petraluger5357
so sorry, but this ist the most beautifulest Song, made in Austria 1818....
@Midnight_Mission
So sorry to hear that..🕊️
@evanlavery9788
God bless you and your family
@ciaran5588
I'm 54 & I learned this song in German in a school choir in Ireland when I was about 9.
At that time no one had ever heard Silent Night sung in it's native language.
I swear I'm not joking when I say there were adults with tears streaming down their faces when we finished singing it.
I will never forget looking at the people faces & I realised how music can really effect people
@philruane5910
In 1975, Miss O’Leary taught our class this song. We was good. Sang it in school hall carol concert. Twas beautiful. ❤️❤️
@mehdiciel935
I am a Muslim yet this carol takes my soul up in the heaven, it's absolutely divine ❤❤