The original secret lyrics for “Silent Night”

Note in the literal English translation it says, “Blessed boy in curly hair.”

Translations of the Christmas song, Silent Night

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Tom Saaristo
15 years ago

I love Christmas music and am really liking the literal translation of Silent Night. “Blessed boy in curly hair” makes more sense to me that “Holy Infant so Tender and Mild”, but maybe the latter is more musical. Ruh!

Rosenkohl
Rosenkohl
13 years ago

Brilliant – very helpful for students of German. Thanks 🙂

Jeanene Pratt
9 years ago

Note that there’s no comma after “virgin”—and there should not be a pause or breath there either. “All is calm, all is bright ’round yon virgin mother and child.”

Jeanene Pratt
10 years ago

John Freeman Young’s 1859 English translation (version) as it appears in most hymnals:

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;
Heavenly hosts sing Allelu-a!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!

Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Christ the Saviour is here,
Jesus the Saviour is here!

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.

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