Silent Night: Origins

Silent Night is probably the most cherished and beloved Christmas carol sung around the world. Next to Holy Night (Night Divine) and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing it is my favorite Christmas song to sing. Even in the midst of yearly new Christmas music and a kaleidoscope of musical styles, Silent Night, sung in it’s simple form, remains at the top of the charts each Christmas season. The song, with it’s original melody, has been recorded by over 300 musicians. I don’t know if this popularity is because of long standing family traditions of singing it, that I’m sure most people(like me) grew up with, or if people are just naturally drawn to it’s beauty and simplicity. Neither reason would surprise me.

In spite of it’s overwhelming influence, I was surprised to find how little is actually known regarding the song’s origin. The story of Silent Night has almost all but slipped into legend. The more popular legend suggested that the simple song was written in 1818 by Joesph Mohr.

Father Mohr presided over a small parish, Church of St Nicholas in Oberndorf in Austria, as was carefully trying to plan a special Christmas Eve mass. Unfortunately the organ of the church was broken, some speculate by mice eating through it’s pipes, so Father Mohr gave his simple poem to Franz Gruber, the church organist and choir master, and ask him to write a musical accompaniment for his song featuring a guitar and two voices. That Christmas Eve celebration, silent night was sung for the first time.

Later, when Karl Mauracher came to Oberndorf to repair the organ and heard the story behind the song, he requested a copy. He took the song with him throughout his travels in Austria telling people the story of the Tiroler Volkslied, or Tyrolean Folk Song.

It isn’t known when, but at some point the song made it’s way to the Stasser family. The parents would have their children sing outside of their business shop as a way to attract customers and Silent Night soon because one of the more popular songs. It’s believed that the song became so popular it gained the attention of the King and Queen who requested a special performance.

The rest of the story is history.

I love the Christmas Eve service at my church, but my favorite part of the evening is the last song. We have a tradition (that I know most churches share) of singing the first verse and a chorus of Silent Night by candle light without musical accompaniment. I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly this does to me each year, but it is an experience I look forward to.