gregbogantz wrote:Hi Bruce,
We talked about the lyrics of Edison BA #1606 "Silent Night" last year in the following thread:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... it=ba+1606
Note the Edison lyrics (which are the same on both on DD and BA records) are almost totally different from the modern lyrics that most Americans are familiar with. I was wondering at the time which of the Edison lyrics or the modern lyrics are closer to the original German. Have you researched this any more since then?
Hi Greg, I did research it a bit but never followed up.
The lyrics used on the Edison disc and cylinder are from an 1872 translation, translator unknown, at least acc. to one source I found.
The lyrics most Americans are familiar with are from an 1863 translation by John Freeman Young. He only translated verses 1, 6 & 2, probably thinking the other versus too dated, having been written in 1818 and making reference to the end of the Napoleonic wars.
The 1863 translation(we are more familiar with) is much closer to the original German text than is the 1872 translation recorded on Edison records.
Another thing I found out is that there are many many translations of this. Below are the most relevant.
Merry Christmas!
THE ORIGNAL GERMAN from 1818 (VERSES 1,6, & 2):
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
LITERAL ENGLISH PROSE TRANSLATION:
Silent night, holy night
All is sleeping, alone watches
Only the close, most holy couple.
Blessed boy in curly hair,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds just informed
By the angels' hallelujah,
It rings out far and wide:
Christ the Savior is here!
Christ the Savior is here!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, oh how laughs
Love out of your divine mouth,
Because now the hour of salvation
strikes for us.
Christ, in Thy birth!
Christ, in Thy birth!
FREEMAN YOUNG 1863 TRANSLATION WE ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH:
(Verses 1, 6 & 2)
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,
Heav'nly 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 the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
VERSION ON EDISON RECORDS
Silent Night, Peaceful Night!
Translator Unknown, ca. 1872
1. Silent night, peaceful night!
All things sleep, shepherds keep
Watch on Bethlehem's silent hill;
And unseen, while all is still,
Angels watch above,
Angels watch above.
2. Bright the star shines afar,
Guiding trav'lers on their way;
Who their gold and incense bring,
Offerings to the promised King,
Child of David's line,
Child of David's line.
3. Light around! joyous sound!
Angel voices wake the air;
"Glory be to God in heav'n;
Peace on earth to you is giv'n,
Jesus the Saviour is come,
Jesus the Saviour is come."
FINALLY: FULL TRANLATION FROM GERMAN OF ALL 6 VERSES
John Freeman Young (verses 1-3), ca. 1859
William C. Egan (verses 4-6), 2007
rearranged I guess so that 1,6 &2 (the earlier translated verses) come first. Last three verses, originally verses 2,3 & 5 made reference to the end of Napoleanic wars and were therefore considered dated.
1. 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!
2. Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heavenly Hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
3. Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy Face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!
4. Silent Night, Holy Night
Here at last, healing light
From the heavenly kingdom sent,
Abundant grace for our intent.
Jesus, salvation for all.
Jesus, salvation for all.
5. Silent Night! Holy Night"
Sleeps the world in peace tonight.
God sends his Son to earth below
A Child from whom all blessings flow
Jesus, embraces mankind.
Jesus, embraces mankind.
6. Silent Night, Holy Night
Mindful of mankind's plight
The Lord in Heav'n on high decreed
From earthly woes we would be freed
Jesus, God's promise for peace.
Jesus, God's promise for peace.
