Silent Night – English Lyrics

• By: Franz Gruber

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the origins and enduring appeal of "Silent Night," a timeless Christmas carol that has touched hearts around the world. Learn about the historical context, the emotional depth, and the message of peace embedded in its lyrics, and how this simple song became a symbol of Christmas celebrations worldwide. Dive into the history of "Silent Night" and enrich your understanding of this classic carol.

[English]

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

Shepherds quake

At the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia

Christ the Savior is born

Christ the Savior is born

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
silent /ˈsaɪlənt/ A1	adjective - making no sound or noise
holy /ˈhoʊli/ A2	adjective - related to religion or God
calm /kæm/ A1	adjective - peaceful and quiet
bright /braɪt/ A1	adjective - giving off a lot of light
virgin /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/ B1	noun - a person who has never had sexual intercourse adjective - pure or untouched
mother /ˈmʌðər/ A1	noun - a female parent
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being
infant /ˈɪnfənt/ A2	noun - a very young child or baby
tender /ˈtɛndər/ B1	adjective - gentle and caring
mild /maɪld/ B1	adjective - gentle and not severe
sleep /sliːp/ A1	verb - to rest in a state of unconsciousness
heavenly /ˈhɛvənli/ B2	adjective - related to heaven or the sky
shepherd /ˈʃɛpərd/ A2	noun - a person who herds and takes care of sheep
quake /kweɪk/ B2	verb - to shake or tremble
glory /ˈɡlɔːri/ B1	noun - high renown or honor
host /hoʊst/ A2	noun - a large group, especially of angels
savior /ˈseɪvjər/ B1	noun - a person who saves someone from danger or harm

Key Grammar Structures

• Silent night, Holy night

  ➔ Adjective + Noun

  ➔ Describes the noun 'night' with adjectives 'silent' and 'holy'.

• All is calm, All is bright

  ➔ Subject + Verb (linking) + Complement

  ➔ Uses the linking verb 'is' to equate the subject 'all' with the complements 'calm' and 'bright'.

• Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

  ➔ Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The prepositional phrase 'round yon' describes the position around the 'Virgin Mother and Child'.

• Holy Infant so tender and mild

  ➔ Adjective + Conjunction + Adjective

  ➔ Uses the conjunction 'and' to connect two adjectives 'tender' and 'mild' describing 'Holy Infant'.

• Sleep in heavenly peace

  ➔ Verb + Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The verb 'sleep' is followed by the prepositional phrase 'in heavenly peace' to indicate where the action occurs.

• Shepherds quake at the sight

  ➔ Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The prepositional phrase 'at the sight' indicates the cause of the shepherds' reaction.

• Glories stream from heaven afar

  ➔ Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The prepositional phrase 'from heaven afar' indicates the origin of the streaming glories.

• Christ the Savior is born

  ➔ Subject + Verb + Predicate Adjective

  ➔ The predicate adjective 'born' describes the state of 'Christ the Savior'.