Silent Night is one of the most universally known of the Christmas carols. It was written by Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr around 1818. This song has always been one of my favorites. It has such a lovely melody and the lyrics are moving.
There's another reason I like this song though. My last name is Gruber and I've often wondered if I am a descendant of Franz Gruber, especially since I have an uncle Francis. No one in the family seems to know and I have never taken the time to investigate...perhaps because I don't want to be disappointed.
Do you see any resemblance?On the grounds of Bronners in Frankenmuth, Michigan, there is a Silent Night Chapel. The chapel is a replica of one that stands in Oberndorf, Austria. It includes plaques with the lyrics to Silent Night in more than 300 languages. We visited the chapel in Frankenmuth many years ago. These photos are from that visit (I apologize for the quality, I was shooting through glass.)
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,
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
Merry Christmas!
Frohe Weihnachten!
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
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!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
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
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!
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!
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
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!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Merry Christmas!
Frohe Weihnachten!
That's one of my favorite Christmas songs also! My husband has relatives in Germany still and they send us a card written in Geman every year for Christmas. So now at least I know what Frohe Weihnachten means!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading that La. Have a wonderful Christmas. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too! It would be fun to investigate...you just might have a pleasant surprise!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas La! Wishing you and your family a beautiful holiday-enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in High School I took German and this was one of the songs I still remember singing.
Have a wonderful Holiday!
Linda
Merry Christmas to you LA. This is also my favorite Christmas carol. My husband's family say that they are related to Joseph Mohr. Joni
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas - that is one of my favorite songs too - not sure I could resist finding out whether I were related or not! But, I do understand!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a terrific day,
Kathy