In an Austrian hamlet stand a little church
whose musical bells can be heard for miles
calling the people to worship.

SILENT NIGHT

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM FRANZ GRUBER

Around Anno Domini 1812, a small town's organist
hand trained his choir for an oratorio
to be presented during Christmas Mass
for the edification of clergy and town folk alike.
***
On entering the choir loft for rehearsal one night
the merry singer troop stopped at a dismaying sight;
the organ bellows were gnawed straight through
by hungry mice! - now what to do?



Franz Gruber, the organist, was in utter despair,
He saw the bellows were beyond repair.
He trudged home through deep snow, swallowing many a tear;
there would be no music for Christmas, no carols, no cheer.
***
As he paced up and down in his room dejectedly
his eyes caught an out-of-tune, old and forgotten guitar,
but when he sadly plucked on its rusty strings
a tune seemed to come to him like on angel's wings.



Father Mohr felt empathy with Franz’s plight;
he offered to forge some lyrics and to stay overnight;
Suitable lyrics were wanted for the new song to be-
words that would nestle and flow with its melody.
***
They spent the night humming, singing, and strumming,
jotting down notes, groping for rhyme and verse;
forgetting their cares and the very late hour,
they rested a minute and then resumed to rehearse.
***
When morning dawned there had been given birth
to a new song to be treasured by heaven and earth.
The church was packed, - the faithful with delight
heard for the very first time "SILENT NIGHT“.
***
On Christmas Eve each year, due homage is paid
to composer Franz Gruber, and a wreath is laid
On his grave in the city Hallein -a hallowed site
while the town brass band blows softly 'SILENT NIGHT".





My darling brother Karli, walks around
This grave to put on it the yearly wreath,
On Holy Eve, while brass and wood pipes sound,
Where “Silent Night's" composer buried is.

So think of me dear friends on Holy Eve,
When "Silent Night" is ringing in your space
And lost my love, my husband dear and grieve
But give the new born Saviour laud and praise.







© Elizabeth Dandy

My great-great-great-great-aunt was as a soprano in Franz Gruber's choir and I was told she fainted when she saw...........




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The true Story of Silent Night Contributed by Elizabeth_Dandy on Saturday, 10th December 2005 @ 09:25:58 AM in AEST Topic: Nostalgic In an Austrian hamlet stand a little church whose musical bells can be heard for miles calling the people to worship. SILENT NIGHT A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM FRANZ GRUBER Around Anno Domini 1812, a small town's organist hand trained his choir for an oratorio to be presented during Christmas Mass for the edification of clergy and town folk alike. *** On entering the choir loft for rehearsal one night the merry singer troop stopped at a dismaying sight; the organ bellows were gnawed straight through by hungry mice! - now what to do? Franz Gruber, the organist, was in utter despair, He saw the bellows were beyond repair. He trudged home through deep snow, swallowing many a tear; there would be no music for Christmas, no carols, no cheer. *** As he paced up and down in his room dejectedly his eyes caught an out-of-tune, old and forgotten guitar, but when he sadly plucked on its rusty strings a tune seemed to come to him like on angel's wings. Father Mohr felt empathy with Franz’s plight; he offered to forge some lyrics and to stay overnight; Suitable lyrics were wanted for the new song to be- words that would nestle and flow with its melody. *** They spent the night humming, singing, and strumming, jotting down notes, groping for rhyme and verse; forgetting their cares and the very late hour, they rested a minute and then resumed to rehearse. *** When morning dawned there had been given birth to a new song to be treasured by heaven and earth. The church was packed, - the faithful with delight heard for the very first time "SILENT NIGHT“. *** On Christmas Eve each year, due homage is paid to composer Franz Gruber, and a wreath is laid On his grave in the city Hallein -a hallowed site while the town brass band blows softly 'SILENT NIGHT". My darling brother Karli, walks around This grave to put on it the yearly wreath, On Holy Eve, while brass and wood pipes sound, Where “Silent Night's" composer buried is. So think of me dear friends on Holy Eve, When "Silent Night" is ringing in your space And lost my love, my husband dear and grieve But give the new born Saviour laud and praise. © Elizabeth Dandy My great-great-great-great-aunt was as a soprano in Franz Gruber's choir and I was told she fainted when she saw........... Copyright © Elizabeth_Dandy ... [ 2005-12-10 09:25:58] (Date/Time posted on site) Advertisments: Previous Posted Poem         | |         Next Posted Poem

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Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by outlaw_mutiny on Saturday, 10th December 2005 @ 10:17:52 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) so many pictures dont belong in poetry

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by Elizabeth_Dandy on Saturday, 10th December 2005 @ 10:44:34 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Yes dear Outlaw - the pictures are absolutely necessary, they belong,- to show the events that took place.. Too bad you can not understand this. Tschuess!

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by Sinned on Saturday, 10th December 2005 @ 02:26:05 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Elizabeth Wonderful write and yes the pictures do belong as they empasize the poem itself. Well done. Sinned

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by sararose1950 on Saturday, 10th December 2005 @ 05:20:46 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Wonderful Elizabeth- I love how you put this story into a poem. Looking forward to more!! I am greedy for happy stories right now. *smiles* Peace and Light

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by Lionel on Tuesday, 13th December 2005 @ 03:57:14 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Wonderful history, wonderfully told. Thanks to God for the gift you have in the composing of it.

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by emystar on Thursday, 15th December 2005 @ 06:51:48 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Wow dear friend, You've done it again. U r always out doing yourself. The graphics make it even mo interesting. The pictures take a person way back as it should. your whole life-n-mucho knowledge, all your acomplishments over the years etc. is always of interest to me. Keep up the work my friend, the scholar. luv, huggs, big ole smiles, emy

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by DreamPoetess on Thursday, 29th December 2005 @ 06:51:00 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) Thank you Elizabeth, this poem is beautiful. I thank you for letting me know of it, outstanding write:>

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by Former_Member on Saturday, 31st December 2005 @ 10:55:08 AM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) What an incredible story!!! Thank you so much for sharing this. I have learned something today, something I will always remember!!!

Re: The true Story of Silent Night (User Rating: 1 ) by brew on Monday, 2nd January 2006 @ 09:41:11 PM AEST (User Info | Send a Message) OK My dear friend, I took the TIME to read and understand. ! WOW!!!!!!!! Such beauty with this write. I DO see, what you meant.! What some cool info. Sorry been so busy with work, Havent had time to post or read.! Thanks for this wonderful write. Brew~