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Silent Night - A Christmas Gift from Franz Gruber
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 1802, 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 - 2 days before Christmas - 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".
