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Stories Behind The Hymns
SILENT NIGHT AUTHOR: JOSEPH MOHR (1792-1848) COMPOSER: FRANZ GRUBER (1787-1863) This is without a doubt the most sung, best loved, and most widely used Christmas carol of all times. It has been translated into no less than ninety languages and dialects. It was written on Dec. 24,1818 in a rural remote village of Oberndorf, near Salzburg, Austria by Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) an assistant Catholic priest. He was twenty-six years old when he wrote the song. There are a number of stories about the origin of this beautiful song. One story was that at a celebration on Christmas Eve in a local school building, Father Mohr withdrew from the crowd for a few minutes and returned later with the words written on a folded sheet of paper. Another story handed down through the years was that Father Mohr had attended a crude dramatization of the Christmas story which stirred him so deeply that on his way home he climbed a small mountain and prayed and when he returned home at midnight, he composed this beautiful hymn. The story that I have heard all my life is that told by Dr. Max Gehmacher in 1937. He was a relative of Franz Gruber who wrote the music and published it in German. In "The Christmas Carol, How It Came Into Existence and What It Really Is", He tells that when the organ failed to function on Dec. 24, 1818, Father Mohr decided to write a new hymn as a substitute for the organ music that was to be played that night. He asked Franz Gruber to write the music for two voices and a guitar. Mohr sang tenor-lead and Gruber sang the bass and played the guitar and according to some authorities, a choir of girls from the village joined in the melody. The hymn and tune became very popular in Germany and Austria as the song was sung by carolers and wandering Tyrolese singers. An organ builder was so impressed by the song that he introduced it to the Strasser Sisters, who added it to their repertoire of "Mountain Songs" calling it, "The Song From Heaven". In 1854 the song fell into wrong hands and was classified as a folk song written by Michael Hayden. The Court Musicians in Berlin sent an inquiry to Salzburg asking if the manuscript of "Silent Night" by Michael Hayden might be found in St. Peter's Church. As it happened Felix Gruber, youngest son of Franz Gruber, was serving as a choirboy in St. Peter's and the request was brought to his attention. When the question was presented to Franz Gruber, he issued the following signed statement: "Authentic occasion for the writing of the Christmas song "Silent Night, Holy Night". It was on Dec. 24, of the year 1818 when Joseph Mohr wrote and handed the song to Franz Gruber and had him to set it to music". The King of Prussia, Fredrick William IV, heard "Silent Night" for the first time in 1854 in Berlin. He declared that this song be given first place in all Christmas Concerts in his country. It still remains in first place for the majority of us. Stories Behind The Hymns is written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe,NC. Shiver has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was a 12-year old attending East Gaffney Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. He began studying the stories behind the hymns in 1957. If you have questions or comments, he can be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com or by mail at PO BOX 775,Biscoe,NC 27209. SILENT NIGHT Verse 1 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. Verse 2 Silent night, holy night, Darkness flies all is light; Shepherds hear the angels sing, "Alleluia! Hail the King! Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born." Verse 3 Silent night, holy night, Guiding Star, lend thy light; See the eastern wise men bring Gifts and homage to our King!, Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Savior is born. Verse 4 Silent night, holy night, Wondrous Star lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born. |
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