Silent Night in English

The words

1. Alfred Bell

   The architect to whom the 1869 English version is attributed.

   Hymnology Archive (opens a new tab)

2. Alleluia

   The angels’ song in Young’s second verse.

   Internet Archive scan of John Freeman Young (opens a new tab)

3. Barnby

   Joseph Barnby, the English composer who printed a reworked version in 1869.

   Hymnology Archive (opens a new tab)

4. Daniel Dana

   The New York publisher of Young’s 1859 carol booklet.

   Hymnology Archive (opens a new tab)

5. Flanders

   Where British and German soldiers sang carols in the 1914 truce.

   Swiss National Museum blog: The story (opens a new tab)

6. Florida

   The diocese of which Young became bishop.

   Internet Archive scan of John Freeman Young (opens a new tab)

7. Freeman Young

   John Freeman Young, author of the usual English translation (1859).

   Hymnology Archive (opens a new tab) · Internet Archive scan of John Freeman Young (opens a new tab)

8. Heavenly Peace

   The closing words of Young’s first verse.

   Internet Archive scan of John Freeman Young (opens a new tab)

9. Holy Infant

   An image in Young’s English first verse.

   Internet Archive scan of John Freeman Young (opens a new tab)

10. Jane Campbell

    Jane Montgomery Campbell, credited with an English translation of 1862.

    Hymnology Archive (opens a new tab)

11. Missionaries

    The Catholic and Protestant missionaries who carried the carol worldwide.

    Silent Night Association: Spreading (opens a new tab)

12. Stille Nacht

    The carol’s original German title.

    Silent Night Association: Text and Music (opens a new tab)

13. Trinity Church

    The New York church where Young was curate in 1859.

    Hymnology Archive (opens a new tab)

14. Virgin Mother

    An image in Young’s English first verse.

    Internet Archive scan of John Freeman Young (opens a new tab)

15. Warner

    J. F. Warner, maker of the first printed English version (1846).

    Hymnology Archive (opens a new tab)