Holy Night, Peaceful Night

1. Holy night, peaceful night!¹
Through the darkness beams a light
There², where they sweet vigils keep
O'er the Babe in silent sleep;
Resting³ in heavenly peace,
Resting in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night, holiest night!
Darkness flies and all is light!
Shepherds hear the angels sing;
"Hallelujah! hail the King!
Jesus, the Savior is here,
Jesus, the Savior is here."

3. Holiest night, peaceful night!
Child of heaven, O how bright
Thou didst smile when Thou was born;
Blessèd was that happy morn,
Full of heavenly joy,
Full of heavenly joy.

Alternate third and fourth verses from Andreas Bersagel, et al, eds., The Condordia Hymnal (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1932): No credit to the translator is given.

3. Silent night! Holy night!
Guiding Star, O lend thy light!
See the eastern wise men bring
Gifts and homage to our king!
Jesus the Savior is here!
Jesus the Savior is here!

4. Silent night! Holy night!
Wondrous Star, O lend thy light!
Wish the angels let us sing
Halleluljah to our King!
Jesus the Savior is here!
Jesus the Savior is here!

1. The version from The Concordia Hymnal substitutes "Silent night! Holy night!" as the first line in all verses. Return

2. Or: 'Yonder' Return

3. Or: 'Rests' Return

Carol 372, Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New
(Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Also included in Hutchins' Sunday School Hymnal (1892)
"Holy Night! Peaceful Night!" (#495)
"Holy Night! Peaceful Night!" (under the title "Silent night! peaceful night!" #499)

Note:

"Campbell, Jane Montgomery, an English lady, a writer and teacher of music, daughter of the Rev. A. Montgomery Campbell, of the Church of England, was born in London in 1817; and died November 15, 1878. She was a teacher in her father's parish school, a writer of English verse, and a translator of German hymns, some of which were published in C. S. Bere's Garland of Songs, 1862, and Children's Choral Book, 1869. She is the author of A Handbook for Singers. One of her most noted hymns was 'We plow the fields and scatter.'" Source: Charles S. Nutter, Hymn Writers of the Church. (Nashville: Smith & Lamar, 1915).

I have been unable to determine the circumstances of this translation.

Miss Campbell's translation has been subjected to numerous changes by various editors, sometimes almost to the point where it can be barely recognized. Compare:

• Holy Night, Peaceful Night - Version 2

• Holy Night! Peaceful Night! - Version 3