The words of Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht were a beautiful carol, but lost much of rhyme and meter when translated into English. An Episcopalian priest, John Freeman Young, in New York found the song worthy of being translated into English, and in 1859 completed his version. While the words have undergone some changes, the beauty of the music, and the meaningful words he used, preserved the core of the original song. The translation does not diminish the original version of Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht, but offers a version understandable to those of us not proficient in German.
Two-Hundredth Anniversary of Silent Night
This is the two-hundredth anniversary of the first performance of Silent Night, as originally written.
This is the two-hundredth anniversary of Silent Night, or at least its parent carol, Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht. The carol was first performed on Christmas Eve, 1818. It had been penned in 1816, two years earlier.
The original words were written by a priest, Father Joseph Mohr. He wrote the song in German, the language of Austria. According to what I read previously, he was inspired to write the lyrics while returning to his rectory one night after administering to the sick.
The music was added by Franz Xavier Gruber. While the words have changed with language translations, the music remains the same, and is easily identified regardless of the language of the lyrics.
The first performance was by the church choir at Saint Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria.
Silent Night - Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
Other Languages
Silent Night, or Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht, has been translated into many languages. I suppose few, if any, would be an exact translation, for the poetic flow of the lyrics would surly lose something in any translation. But, there is no denying the sound of the musical score.
Remembering
My first real job was to teach in a high school. The school was a minor seminary for the Redemptrist order. In December the time for the Christmas party came, which was held on the school grounds in the rectory. The priest all had German surnames, to which I did not pay attention to until that night. After refreshments were consumed for a time one priest declared with glee, “It is time to sing German Christmas carols.” Sheet music was passed around. Then we sang, one carol after the other, in German.
German is the original language of many Christmas carols. I recall not understanding the words, but there was something special about the singing in the original language, as the carols were intended to be sung.
This article contains links to affiliate programs and Adsense advertising. These must use cookies to allow for proper crediting. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The introduction image is our own Zazzle product..
Comments
blackspanielgalleryDec 5, 2018
blackspanielgalleryDec 5, 2018
VeronicaDec 5, 2018
blackspanielgalleryDec 5, 2018
frankbeswickDec 5, 2018
blackspanielgalleryDec 5, 2018
VeronicaDec 5, 2018
I wonder if there is a Christmas stamp archive anywhere .
blackspanielgalleryDec 5, 2018
I did not realize it is the 200th anniversary until the austrian Mint, Muenze Oesterreich, issued a coin commemorating the anniversary,. It is amazing how much one can learn from watching mint releases from around the world.
VeronicaDec 5, 2018
I learned it in German at Primary School and I have never forgotten the German words 57 years on.
I think as a carol it epitomises what Christmas should be about … calm and bright … The Nativity.... and not the hideous, garish, over commercialised gluttony feast we have now.
Thank you for a timely reminder.