Stille Nacht. Or what we call “Silent Night” is a classic and a favorite among Christmas carolers. It is a touching, melodious song that speaks of the Christmas story with words so clear, it’s like the bible with pictures.
Like with so many Christmas songs, this one’s had countless versions and renditions over the years. It’s not surprising seeing as the song was first performed in 1818.
You know the words too.
Lennon Ray Louise Stella (born August 13, 1999) and Maisy Jude Marion Stella (born December 13, 2003) are Canadian sisters and they are known as Lennon & Maisy. The sisters are now based in Nashville, Tennessee.
They’ve spent their lives singing and playing instruments. It all came natural to the sisters since mom and dad are gifted musicians themselves. Lennon & Maisy were also in the hit series, Nashville.
Here’s their rendition of “Silent Night“. Promise you, it’s really good.
Big sister Lennon plays the guitar as she sings with Maisy in a lobby of the Tennessee State Capitol. And of course there’s a Christmas tree!
Theirs is a haunting, chilling style that makes listeners close their eyes and drift away to that night ages ago when Joseph and Mary couldn’t find an inn, how they ended up in a stable where Mary gave birth to the infant Jesus, wrapped him in swaddling clothes before laying Him down in a manger.
“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”
Look up. You may just see the same star.
A young Catholic priest named Joseph Mohr wrote the poem in 1816. The story goes that the organ in St Nicholas Church, Oberndorf bei Salzburg in Austria needed repairs but there was no time. Blame the mice.
He asked Franz Xavez Gruber, a schoolmaster and organist in a nearby town, to turn his poem into a song. So on that night, during Christmas Mass 1818, Mohr played the guitar while both men sang the song with a choir.
That’s a Christmas story worth telling!
The sisters have incredible harmony. Both play to each other’s voice, the tones mimicking each other in a dance of light and heavy. Nothing overdone or lacking, just pure talent from Lennon & Maisy.
High praise from a viewer named Stephen,
“I can’t help but think of The Every Brothers when I hear these two. The phrasing emphasis, the slight gap before another killer harmony, if I wasn’t sitting down I’d be on my knees. Just stunningly beautiful and I hope they have as long a career as the Everly’s.”
That’s saying something!
So the next time you pass by a nativity scene or a display of that night in Bethlehem, hum this 1818 classic to yourself. If there’s a choir or carolers nearby singing, sing along with them. It’s Christmas!
There’s a big chance that this version by Lennon & Maisy would be playing in your head too. It’s so solemn and mesmerizing, makes you want to look out at all the strangers and whisper a “Merry Christmas” to them.
And to think they’re so young. The road is bright and full of cheer for these two.
This one’s sure to add warmth to your celebrations! Listen to the sisters below!
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