Silent Night was first written in 1816 by Josef Mohr, a priest in Austria. In 1816, he was sad that the organ was broken and found this poem he'd written earlier. The music was composed by his organist, Franz Gruber, for the mass the next evening. It was first performed with only a guitar accompanying it.

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

MP3 of Silent Night