Silent Night – English Lyrics

• By: Beyoncé

Lyrics & Translation

Learn the timeless English lyrics of 'Silent Night' through Beyoncé's soulful and dynamic interpretation. Her powerful R&B performance on the Destiny's Child holiday album '8 Days of Christmas' brings a modern energy to this classic carol, making it a unique way to experience a song cherished worldwide for its message of peace and hope.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
calm /kɑːm/ A2	adjective - peaceful and quiet
bright /braɪt/ B2	adjective - giving off a lot of light
virgin /ˈvɜːrdʒɪn/ B1	noun - a person who has never had sexual intercourse
infant /ˈɪnfənt/ B1	noun - a very young child or baby
savior /ˈseɪvjər/ B2	noun - a person who saves someone or something from danger
peace /piːs/ A2	noun - freedom from disturbance; tranquility
holy /ˈhoʊli/ B1	adjective - dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose
tender /ˈtɛndər/ B2	adjective - showing gentleness and concern or sympathy
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty
heavenly /ˈhɛvənli/ B2	adjective - of or relating to heaven; divine
born /bɔrn/ A1	verb - to come into the world; to be delivered

Key Grammar Structures

• All is calm, all is bright

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis

  ➔ The phrase repeats 'all is' to emphasize the calmness and brightness of the night.

• Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child

  ➔ Prepositional phrase with descriptive function

  ➔ The phrase describes the location and the figures involved in the scene, using 'Round' as a preposition to set the scene.

• Sleep in heavenly peace

  ➔ Imperative phrase with a prepositional phrase

  ➔ A poetic way to express a wish or hope, using the imperative form 'Sleep' to convey longing and peace.

• Christ, Christ the Savior is born

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis and parallel structure

  ➔ The repetition of 'Christ' highlights the importance of Jesus' birth, while the structure emphasizes the message.

• Holy infant so tender and mild

  ➔ Use of adjectives to describe nouns

  ➔ Adjectives like 'tender' and 'mild' are used to convey the gentle and pure nature of the infant.

• Sleep in heavenly peace

  ➔ Imperative mood paired with a prepositional phrase

  ➔ The use of the imperative 'Sleep' creates a gentle command, while 'in heavenly peace' specifies the manner of sleeping.