MP3
Silent night Holy night
All is calm all is bright
Round you virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
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
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
This hymn's history is the source
of some disagreement. The traditional story is that Mohr and Gruber wrote
it in Oberndorf, Austria, on Christmas Eve when they iscovered the church
organ was broken (different versions say it rusted out, or mice chewed
through vital parts). However, recent evidence indicates this may be only
folklore. An old manuscript has reportedly been discovered that shows
Franz Gruber wrote the score 2-4 years after Mohr wrote the lyrics. Whatever
the truth, this carol has been a Christmas favorite for almost 200 years.