Back to: The Twelve Days of Christmas Carols
Most hymnals contain versions primarily derived from a translation by Episcopal minister John Freeman Young (1820-1885) around 1859. Often translations by several authors are included in a single version of this carol. The Episcopal Church uses 1,6,2 and then this verse which they have as verse 4 which has been considered anonymous though it now appears that it was written by the English woman Jane Montgomery Campbell (1817-1878)
4
Silent night! Holy night!
wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing
alleluias to our King;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born
The fourth stanza, with no reference to the original German, completes the scene painted in the first three by inviting us to form a circle around the Holy Family and sing “Christ the Savior is born.”
Verses 1, 2, 6 translated by Bishop John Freeman Young (1820-1885)
Verses 3-5 translated by Silent Night Historian William C. Egan 2007
Young’s English lyrics
- 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,
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. - Silent night, holy night,
Here at last, healing light,
From the heavenly kingdom sent,
Abundant grace for our intent.
Jesus, salvation for all.
Jesus, salvation for all. - Silent night, holy night,
Sleeps the world in peace tonight.
God sends his Son to earth below,
A Child from whom all blessings flow.
Jesus embraces mankind.
Jesus embraces mankind. - Silent night, holy night,
Mindful of mankind’s plight,
The Lord in Heav’n on high decreed,
From earthly woes we would be freed.
Jesus, God’s promise for peace.
Jesus, God’s promise for peace. - Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born.
Christ the Savior is born