Silent Night Download

This isn't the greatest recording. It was done in the basement with the furnace running not too far away.

I love doing arrangements of songs to kind of fit single guitar accompaniment for many years, and this is one of my favorites. When I lived in Europe in my teens, I was blessed to get to visit a tiny church in Oberndorf, Austria. It was there that I learned the story of "Silent Night" and it has always added to my special feelings about the song.

The True Story of "Silent Night"

The Christmas Eve of 1818 was at hand. Pastor Joseph Mohr of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf decided that he needed a carol for the Christmas Eve service. The little poem he had written two years earlier while serving at the pilgrim church in Mariapfarr just might work. Perhaps this poem could be set to music. He hurried off to see his friend, Franz Xavier Gruber, who was a schoolteacher and also served as the church's organist and choir master. Maybe he could help. He did.

In a few short hours Franz came up with the hauntingly beautiful melody that is so loved and revered to this day. At the time there were apparent problems with the organ at the church. Because of that and, at the request of Joseph, who had a special love for his guitar, Franz composed the music for guitar accompaniment. Just short hours later, Franz stood with his friend the pastor, Joseph, in front of the altar in St. Nicholas church and introduced "Stille Nacht" to the congregation.