Many of the Christmas songs lyrics that we still love today were written during the 18th century.
"Away in a Manger"
The first two verses were originally published in a Lutheran Sunday School book in 1885. Two years later James Murray published it as "Luther's Cradle Hymn" which spawned the dichotomy that Luther created it. The lyrics are usually considered American anonymous. Some credit the music to Murray while others think he merely harmonized the words of an old German folk song. The tune closely follows the Scottish song "Flow Gently Sweet Afton."
"Away in a Manger" Lyrics:
Away in a manger
No crib for his bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down his sweet head
The stars in the heaven
Looked down where he laid
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay.
"Hark, the Herald Angels Sing"
This Christmas carol melds the work of two composers a century apart. Written in 1739 by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley who founded the Methodist church, the carol's lyrics were set to slow, somber music. In 1840, Felix Mendelssohn created a cantata celebrating the invention of the printing press. William H. Cummings, a British musician, then adapted music from Mendelssohn's second chorus of this cantata to Wesley's lyrics, resulting in the version of this popular Christmas carol that is loved today.
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Lyrics:
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Glory to the new born king!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled.
"Silent Night"
The music and Christmas songs lyrics of "Silent Night" have made it one of the most popular of Christmas carols. The lyrics were originally written as a poem by Austrian priest, Joseph Mohr, in 1816. When the church organ broke on Christmas Eve, 1818, Mohr rushed to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber, who was a guitarist, and asked him to set the poem to music. The poem was transformed into lyrics, and Gruber composed its music and played it on his guitar for Midnight Mass.
"Silent Night" Lyrics:
Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, all is bright
Shepherds quake at the sight
Holy infant so tender and mild
Christ our Saviour is born
Christ our Saviour is born
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