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Origin of Silent Night

Back in eighteen-eighteen upon Christmas Eve, Father Joseph Mohr just baptized a child, Oberndorf’s Parish Priest then walked on home within peaceful silence he felt quite inspired, so he wrote a poem about how he felt; and organist friend Franz Gruber in town, put a tune to the words sung to the children behind a guitar; the organ had broken down. The Oberndorf people at Christmas each year, would join in together singing this song, and many years later, since it was written, at a Leipzig market a man walked along. He heard the song by the voices of children; impressed with the choir, and what he’d seen. The Royal Conductor then asked the children to sing this song before the king and the queen. In the Cathedral their song book excluded, the author, composer; unknown and unheard. On a visit to Vienna the Cathedral choirmaster, heard the very same tune sung by a cage bird whose owner declared the bird came from Salzburg, where the master met a choirboy who knew the song. He was Felix Gruber, the composer’s son who’s amazed that the tune for these words still at Christmas is strong. But Father Joseph Mohr from that peaceful eve, would never know that his powerful write on his feeling for Christmas will be evermore … So please join me and we’ll sing Silent Night. Silent night holy night, All is calm, all is bright, ‘round yon virgin mother and child, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Back in eighteen-eighteen upon Christmas Eve, Father Joseph Mohr just baptized a child, Oberndorf’s Parish Priest then walked on home, within peaceful silence he felt quite inspired.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015




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Date: 12/23/2015 11:59:00 PM
What a beautiful poem, I love learning the history, amazing!
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/28/2015 6:32:00 PM
Thank you for your comment Arthur. The beauty of Silent Night sent me on the path to find the story behind it, and it is a fascinating story indeed - Lindsay
Date: 12/23/2015 1:16:00 AM
It is heartwarming to hear the origins of this endearing song. Thank you for sharing this in your well constructed poem Lindsay.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/28/2015 6:27:00 PM
Hello Connie... thank you once again. The song itself is so beautiful but the origin and story behind it fascinated me, and to think that it is considered the most recognized song of Christmas after all these years is amazing - Lindsay
Date: 12/22/2015 5:40:00 PM
LIndsay, what a fine seasonal post this is. And I loved how you ended it with the same verse it started. It really emphasizes the charm of that song. I think this is the most beloved of ALL the traditional Xmas hymns. Bar none.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/28/2015 6:21:00 PM
Hello Andrea... hanks again for commenting Andrea. I too believe Silent Night emphasizes Christmas more than any other song. No matter where we are, when we hear the words we can't help but stop and listen - Lindsay
Date: 12/17/2015 11:33:00 AM
A tremendous write and very touching... Merry Christmas from my family to yours.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/28/2015 6:16:00 PM
G'day Carol... thank you Carol. Christmas Day was great even though the weather was hot. I trust you and your family had a great day - Lindsay
Date: 12/16/2015 7:50:00 PM
Simply fabulous. I am just totally overcome by this--in a good way. It's sweet.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/28/2015 6:13:00 PM
Hello Duke... this was my effort to put the story up in a few lines. It's a wonderful story about a Carol that will be sung for evermore - Lindsay
Date: 12/13/2015 12:57:00 PM
Enjoyed this wonderful story about the origins of silent night. love phyl
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/28/2015 6:09:00 PM
Thank you Phyllis, and it's no wonder that Silent Night is still so popular today. It's a wonderful Christmas Carol - Lindsay
Date: 12/8/2015 4:52:00 AM
What a wonderful tale that warms the heart Lindsay! You never know who will cherish your words and how brightly their shine may live on....#7
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/28/2015 6:06:00 PM
Hello Connie... That's right Connie. I found the story behind Silent Night terrific especially with it being my favourite Carol - thanks again Connie - Lindsay

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