Silent Night #394: Austin App Papers

The Christmas carol “Silent Night” is known all over the world. Some attribute it to a popular melody or a famous composer, but the true history of its composition dates back to the Austrian Empire of 1818.

A young priest wrote the lyrics in German. His name was Father Joseph Mohr. He turns to Franz Gruber, the local schoolteacher and organist, for musical accompaniment. The church organ was broken at the time, so Gruber came up with the melody on his guitar.

Gruber and Mohr first performed the piece on Christmas Day 1818. It was not until 1859 that “Silent Night” was translated into English.

Learn more about the history of this beloved Christmas carol in materials on the Austin App from the UW American Heritage Center.