Silent Night - wikipedia Silent Night This article is about the Christmas carol. For other uses, see Silent Night ( disambiguation ). Silent Night Christmas carol Silent - Night - Chapel in Oberndorf, where the song was first performed Native name Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht Full Silent Night, Holy Night Text Joseph Mohr Language German Melody Franz Xaver Gruber Performed 24 December 1818 ( 1818 - 12 - 24 ) Published 1833 ( 1833 ) `` Silent Night '' ( German : Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht ) is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011. The song has been recorded by a large number of singers from every music genre. The version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best - selling single of all - time. Contents 1 History 2 Translations 3 Lyrics 4 Musical settings 5 In film 6 References 7 External links History The song was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a village in the Austrian Empire on the Salzach river in present - day Austria. A young priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had come to Oberndorf the year before. He had written the lyrics of the song `` Stille Nacht '' in 1816 at Mariapfarr, the hometown of his father in the Salzburg Lungau region, where Joseph had worked as a co-adjutor. The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. Before Christmas Eve, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for the Christmas Eve mass. It is unknown what inspired Mohr to write the lyrics, or what prompted him to create a new carol. According to Gruber, Karl Mauracher, an organ builder who serviced the instrument at the Obendorf church, was enamoured with the song, and took the composition home with him to the Zillertal. From there, two travelling families of folk singers, the Strassers and the Rainers, included the tune in their shows. The Rainers were already singing it around Christmas 1819, and once performed it for an audience that included Franz I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia, as well as making the first performance of the song in the U.S., in New York City in 1839. By the 1840s the song was well known in Lower Saxony and was reported to be a favourite of Frederick William IV of Prussia. During this period, the melody changed slightly to become the version that is commonly played today. Over the years, because the original manuscript had been lost, Mohr 's name was forgotten and although Gruber was known to be the composer, many people assumed the melody was composed by a famous composer, and it was variously attributed to Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven. However, a manuscript was discovered in 1995 in Mohr 's handwriting and dated by researchers as c. 1820. It states that Mohr wrote the words in 1816 when he was assigned to a pilgrim church in Mariapfarr, Austria, and shows that the music was composed by Gruber in 1818. This is the earliest manuscript that exists and the only one in Mohr 's handwriting. The first edition was published by Friese ( de ) in 1833 in a collection of Four Genuine Tyrolean Songs, with the following musical text : Franz Xaver Gruber, painted by Sebastian Stief ( 1846 ) Josef Mohr, painting at the Silent - Night - Chape The contemporary version, as in the choral example below, is : Translations In 1859, the Episcopal priest John Freeman Young, then serving at Trinity Church, New York City, wrote and published the English translation that is most frequently sung today, translated from three of Mohr 's original six verses. The version of the melody that is generally used today is a slow, meditative lullaby or pastorale, differing slightly ( particularly in the final strain ) from Gruber 's original, which was a `` moderato '' tune in 6 8 time and siciliana rhythm. Today, the lyrics and melody are in the public domain. The carol has been translated into about 140 languages. Lyrics Autograph ( c. 1860 ) of the carol by Franz Gruber `` Silent Night '' Choral version performed by the United States Army Chorus `` Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht '' Soprano solo performed by Ernestine Schumann - Heink `` Silent Night '' Instrumental version played on piano by Kevin MacLeod in 2000 Problems playing these files ? See media help. German lyrics Young 's English lyrics Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, 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, Hirten erst kundgemacht 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 ! 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. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight ; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly 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. Musical settings Max Reger quotes the tune in the Christmas section of his organ pieces Sieben Stücke, Op. 145. Alfred Schnittke composed an arrangement of Stille Nacht for violin and piano in 1978, as a holiday greeting for violinist Gidon Kremer. Due its dissonant and nightmarish character, the miniature caused a scandal in Austria. In film Several theatrical and television films depict how the song was ostensibly written. Most of them however are based on a spurious legend about the organ breaking down at the church in Oberndorf, which appeared in a fictional story published in the U.S. in the 1930s. The Legend of Silent Night ( 1968 ) TV film directed by Daniel Mann Silent Night, Holy Night ( 1976 ) animated short film by Hanna - Barbera. Silent Mouse ( 1988 ) television special directed and produced by Robin Crichton and narrated by Lynn Redgrave. Buster & Chauncey 's Silent Night ( 1998 ) direct - to - video animated featurette Stille Nacht ( 2012 ) directed by Christian Vuissa The First Silent Night ( 2014 ), documentary narrated by Simon Callow References Jump up ^ `` Österreichische UNESCO - Kommission -- Nationalagentur für das Immaterielle Kulturerbe -- Austrian Inventory ''. Retrieved 25 December 2014. ^ Jump up to : Egan, Bill ( December 1999 ). `` Silent Night, Holy Night ''. Soundscapes. University of Groningen. 2. ISSN 1567 - 7745. Retrieved 22 December 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Christmas carols ''. BBC. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Spreading of the Song Locally ''. Silent Night Association. Retrieved 22 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` Origin of the Song ''. Silent Night Association. Retrieved 22 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` Silent Night '' revisited by Norbert Müllemann, G. Henle Verlag, 24 December 2012 Jump up ^ Underwood, Byron Edward, `` Bishop John Freeman Young, Translator of ' Stille Nacht ' '', The Hymn, v. 8, no. 4, October 1957, pp. 123 -- 132. Jump up ^ Meredith Ellis Little ( 2001 ). Siciliana. Grove Music Online. ISBN 978 - 1561592630. Jump up ^ Gerlinde Haid ( 1994 ). Siciliano als Typus weihnachtlicher Volksmusik. 175 Jahre `` Stille Nacht ! Heilige Nacht ! '' ( in German ), p. 135 -- 146. Salzburg. Jump up ^ Ronald M. Clancy, William E Studwell. Best - Loved Christmas Carols. Christmas Classics Ltd, 2000. Jump up ^ `` Silent Night ''. Silent Night Web. Jump up ^ Evangelisches Gesangbuch, hymn no. 46 ; Gotteslob, hymn no. 249 ( was 145 ) Jump up ^ `` Silent Night, Holy Night '', The United Methodist Hymnal, number 239, translated by John F. Young ( stanzas 1 -- 3 ) and anon. ( stanza 4 ), hymnsite.com Jump up ^ Guerrieri, Matthew ( December 20, 2014 ). `` With ' Stille Nacht, ' Schnittke couched protest in tradition ''. The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Ross, Alex ( September 28, 1992 ). `` Connoisseur of Chaos : Schnittke ''. The New Republic. Retrieved December 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Silent Night, Holy Night ( TV Movie 1976 ) ''. IMDb. 27 December 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Silent Mouse ( 1988 ) ''. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 29 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` Buster and Chauncey 's Silent Night ''. TCM. Retrieved 23 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Silent Night Movieguide Movie Reviews for Christians ''. Movieguide. Retrieved 17 February 2017. Jump up ^ First Silent Night, The, production details External links Wikisource has original text related to this article : Silent Night German Wikisource has original text related to this article : Stille Nacht ! Heilige Nacht ! Media related to Stille Nacht at Wikimedia Commons Translation of all six verses of the German original Free arrangements for piano and voice from Cantorion.org Silent Night Chapel, origin of song Schnittke 's version on YouTube Bing Crosby singles Discography 1920s `` My Blue Heaven '' ( with Paul Whiteman ) `` Ol ' Man River '' ( with Paul Whiteman ) `` Mississippi Mud '' ( with Paul Whiteman ) `` Silent Night, Holy Night '' ( with Paul Whiteman ) `` Makin ' Whoopee '' ( with Paul Whiteman ) `` Let 's Do It '' ( with Dorsey Brothers ) `` Louise '' 1930s `` Three Little Words '' ( with Duke Ellington ) `` I Surrender Dear '' ( with Gus Arnheim ) `` Just a Gigolo '' `` At Your Command '' `` Stardust '' `` Goodnight, Sweetheart '' `` Where the Blue of the Night ( Meets the Gold of the Day ) '' ( Bing 's Theme Song ) `` Waltzing in a Dream '' `` Brother, Can You Spare a Dime ? '' `` I Do n't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You '' `` Temptation '' `` Did You Ever See a Dream Walking ? '' `` June in January '' `` Love Is Just Around the Corner '' `` I Wished on the Moon '' `` It Ai n't Necessarily So '' `` Pennies from Heaven '' `` Silent Night '' `` Adeste Fideles '' `` Sweet Leilani '' `` Blue Hawaii '' `` Never in a Million Years '' `` My Reverie '' `` You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby '' `` God Bless America '' `` Ciribiribin ( They 're So in Love ) '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) 1940s `` Tumbling Tumbleweeds '' `` Only Forever '' `` Deep in the Heart of Texas '' `` Easter Parade '' `` White Christmas '' `` Moonlight Becomes You '' `` Sunday, Monday, or Always '' `` People Will Say We 're in Love '' `` Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin ' '' `` Pistol Packin ' Mama '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` I 'll Be Home for Christmas '' `` Jingle Bells '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` I Love You '' `` I 'll Be Seeing You '' `` Swinging on a Star '' `` Is You Is or Is You Ai n't My Baby '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` Amor '' `` Do n't Fence Me In '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` You Belong to My Heart '' `` On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe '' `` If I Loved You '' `` It 's Been a Long, Long Time '' ( w / Les Paul Trio ) `` I Ca n't Begin to Tell You '' `` The Bells of St. Mary 's '' `` McNamara 's Band '' `` Get Your Kicks On Route 66 '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` Night and Day '' `` Santa Claus Is Comin ' to Town '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` Ballerina '' `` Now Is the Hour '' `` But Beautiful '' `` Careless Hands '' `` Riders in the Sky '' `` Some Enchanted Evening '' `` Dear Hearts and Gentle People '' `` Mule Train '' 1950s `` Have I Told You Lately That I Love You ? '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy '' `` Play a Simple Melody '' ( w / Gary Crosby ) `` La Vie en rose '' `` All My Love '' `` Beyond the Reef '' `` Harbor Lights '' `` Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer '' `` A Marshmallow World '' `` Sparrow in the Treetop '' ( w / Andrews Sisters ) `` Gone Fishin ' '' ( w / Louis Armstrong ) `` In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening '' ( w / Jane Wyman ) `` The Isle of Innisfree '' `` Zing a Little Zong '' ( w / Jane Wyman ) `` Silver Bells '' ( w / Carol Richards ) `` Down by the Riverside '' ( w / Gary Crosby ) `` Young at Heart '' `` Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep '' `` Stranger in Paradise '' `` In a Little Spanish Town '' ( w / Buddy Cole Trio ) `` True Love '' ( w / Grace Kelly ) `` Now You Has Jazz '' ( w / Louis Armstrong ) `` Well, Did You Evah ! '' ( w / Frank Sinatra ) 1970s `` That 's What Life Is All About '' `` Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy '' ( w / David Bowie ) Christmas portal Music portal Austria portal VIAF : 185694157 GND : 30063451X SELIBR : 214642 BNF : cb139128001 ( data ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Silent_Night&oldid=817321792 '' Categories : 1818 songs Austrian songs Christmas carols Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Hidden categories : Articles containing German - language text Use dmy dates from February 2017 Interlanguage link template link number Articles with hAudio microformats Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with SELIBR identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikisource Afrikaans Български Boarisch Bosanski Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Gàidhlig 한국어 Hawaiʻi Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Íslenska Italiano עברית ქართული Kaszëbsczi Latina Latviešu Lingála Magyar മലയാളം Bahasa Melayu Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Română Русский Scots Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina Српски / srpski Suomi Svenska Tagalog ไทย Türkçe Українська Vèneto Tiếng Việt Walon 粵語 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 27 December 2017, at 16 : 54. 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Question: where was the song silent night first sung
Answer: Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria