Video and history of the Christmas song "Holy Night"

Sainte nuit, célèbre chant de Christmas, a été interprétée pour la première fois le 24 décembre 1818 dans l’église Saint-Nicolas d’Oberndorf en Autriche. Joseph Mohr, prêtre de la paroisse, aurait écrit les paroles de la chanson deux ans plus tôt, lui donnant alors la forme d’un poème.

Although one can only speculate as to why the poem was turned into a Christmas carol, legend has it that the church organ was in such a sorry state that no one could play it. Joseph Mohr then entrusted Franz Xaver Gruber, the substitute organist, with the task of writing a melody suitable for two solo voices, with choir and guitar accompaniment.

Also known as Silent Night, or Stille Nacht in German, this hymn was initially sung primarily within the circle of the two men. It then spread to Tyrol in 1819, then to Leipzig in 1832, before being transported to New York under the title Silent Night, Holy Night. It was not until 1866 that it was revived in Salzburg, a neighboring parish of Oberndorf.

Holy Night eventually crossed all continents, and today some estimate that there are as many as three hundred translations into various languages and dialects. However, opinions differ on this subject, with others putting the number at around one hundred.

Music video (Youtube) of the song “Sainte Nuit”

Words and music with a slideshow of Christmas images

Holy Night interpretation by Marie-Élaine Thibert in December 2008:

Gerard Barbeau – young singer from Quebec

Children's Choir (Little Singers at the Cross)

Music video with lyrics

Claude Valade

Christmas Song Lyrics (Different Versions)

Sweet night, holy night!
In the heavens! The star shines.
The announced mystery is accomplished
This child on the straw asleep,
It's infinite love! {x2}

Holy child, gentle lamb!
How big he is! How handsome he is!
Hear the pipes resonate
Shepherds leading their flocks
To his humble cradle! {x2}

It is towards us that he runs,
In a gift with no return!
From this world ignorant of love,
Where his stay begins today,
May he be King forever! {x2}

What a welcome for a King!
No shelter, no roof!
In his crib he is shivering with cold
O sinner, without waiting for the cross,
Jesus souffre pour toi ! {x2}

Peace to all! Glory to heaven!
Glory to the maternal breast,
Who for us, on this Christmas day,
Gave birth to the eternal Savior,
What was Israel waiting for! {x2}

Other version

Silent Night Holy Night
Everything is quiet and silent
In a poor stable
Sleep, adorable child
From a Heavenly Rest
Of a Heavenly rest!
-2-
Silent night, Holy night
The banks followed
From the star the sweet clarity
A thousand voices sang in the night
A Savior is born to us
A Savior is born to us!
-3-
Silent night, Holy night
Sweet Jesus you smile
And your lovely mouth
With an ineffable smile
The sky opens between us.

German version

Still Night

Still night! Heilige Nacht!
Alles schläfteinsam wacht
Nun das Traute high-speed Paar
Holder Knabeim lockigen Haar,
Schlaf'im himmlischer Ruh',
Schlaf'im himmlischer Ruh'!

Still night! Heilige Nacht!
Hirten erst kund gemacht,
Through the Angel, hallelujah,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah':
Christ the Retter, is da!

Still night! Heilige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht,
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund
Here are some of the things that await you:
Christ is deiner Geburt.