History
It was at the Romanesque parish church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf that the Christmas carol "Silent Night" was first performed in 1818. The story goes that Joseph Mohr had composed "Silent Night" as a poem in 1816, then on Christmas Eve 1818, Franz Xaver Gruber composed a melody to go with it.
The two creators were the first to perform it: Mohr sang tenor and played guitar, while Gruber sang bass. The reason for the guitar, and indeed for the performance of the song itself, is said to be that the organ was not working that night.
The following year, the song had become part of the repertoire of the Tyrolian musician families Rainer and Strasser. They eventually toured Europe and North America - bringing "Silent Night" to Leipzig in 1832 and to New York in 1839.
Learn the legendary story of Pastor Joseph Mohr and School Master Franz Xaver Gruber (also the community organist) who struggled with a broken organ on Christmas Eve 1818. Mohr came up with a poem named “Silent Night” that he had written two years before, Gruber composed the tune and off they went with “Silent Night” Oberndorf Chapel for a tenor, a soprano, the choir and a guitar accompaniment
Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
A Christmas Eve that made history
By Abe F. March
The year was 1818 and it was Christmas Eve in the Austrian Alps. The picturesque village of Oberndorf was snowed-in. Paths and roadways made passable with wooden shovels and horse-drawn logs were no longer visible. Above the village, the parish church of St. Nikolaus appeared as a silhouette enshrined in snow. In his parish home, the pastor, Joseph Mohr, was planning something special for the Christmas Eve service.
While working as assistant pastor at a parish in Salzburg in 1816, Joseph Mohr wrote a poem while recovering from Tuberculosis. He first read it at a Christmas Eve service in Salzburg to the enjoyment of the congregation. He continued worked on the poem with small revisions and adding a few verses. Supplementing the poem with music was on his agenda, however before he could find someone to do it, he was transferred to the parish in Oberndorf to assist with his recovery from Tuberculosis in an area untouched by the disease. He wanted to share his poem with his new congregation at the Christmas Eve service.
Shortly before Christmas, Joseph Mohr visited the home of musician-school teacher Franz Gruber who lived in an apartment over the schoolhouse. He was invited to share the evening meal, and after dinner, he showed his friend the poem.
Franz read it quietly and then read it again, his face visible with emotion.
“It is wonderful, Father.”
“Could you put a melody to the words?”
“Father, I would be honored. I only hope I can do it justice.”
“I’m sure you will do a fine job. I plan to read the poem on Christmas Eve, but if there is music, we could sing it at Midnight Mass. Could you have it ready by then?”
“I will do my very best,” said Franz.
Franz composed the music and called on Father Mohr three days before Christmas. Father Mohr hummed the melody and then played it on his guitar. He and was very pleased.
“Please come early to church on Christmas Eve. I wish to hear it played on the organ and we can put our voices to the melody. I shall invite the choir to join us.”
1. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute heilige Paar.
Holder Knab im lockigten Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
2. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb´ aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da schlägt uns die rettende Stund.
Jesus in deiner Geburt!
Jesus in deiner Geburt!
3. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Die der Welt Heil gebracht,
Aus des Himmels goldenen Höhn
Uns der Gnaden Fülle läßt sehn:
Jesum in Menschengestalt,
Jesum in Menschengestalt
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Alleluja,
Tönt es laut bei Ferne und Nah:
Jesus der Retter ist da!
Jesus der Retter ist da!
1. Silent night, holy night,
All is calm all is bright,
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
3. Silent night, holy night,
Here at last, healing light,
From the heavenly kingdom sent,
Abundant grace for our intent.
Jesus, salvation for all.
Jesus, salvation for all.
4. Silent night, holy night,
Sleeps the world in peace tonight.
God sends his Son to earth below,
A Child from whom all blessings flow.
Jesus embraces mankind.
Jesus embraces mankind.
5. Silent night, holy night,
Mindful of mankind's plight,
The Lord in Heav'n on high decreed,
From earthly woes we would be freed.
Jesus, God's promise for peace.
Jesus, God's promise for peace.
6. Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born.
Christ the Savior is born.