o The lyrics of the song was written by Josef Mohr, an assistant pastor by avocation, on December 23, 1818, in Austria. He wrote the song while walking down the hill overlooking Oberndorf, just one of the vllages in the Austrian Alps.

o Mohr's poem was given music by church organist, Franz Xaver Gruber. He did the music in one setting, spending a few hours on his guitar because the church's organ was out of commission.

o On Christmas eve of 1818, Josef Mohr and Franz Gruber sang the "Silent Night" for the first time accompanied by the later's guitar, at the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf and attended by the village's congregation.

o Here's the lyric of Josef Mohr and Franz Gruber's composition:

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is brightRound yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peaceSleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is bornChrist, the Saviour is born

Here's the original poem by Josef Mohr:

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Alles schläft; einsam wachtNur das traute hochheilige Paar.

Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Hirten erst kundgemachtDurch der Engel Halleluja,

Tönt es laut von fern und nah:

Christ, der Retter ist da!Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Gottes Sohn, o wie lachtLieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,

Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.

Christ, in deiner Geburt!Christ, in deiner Geburt!