Silent Night, Holy Night - Easy Chords for Ukulele
Intro [G] [D7] [G]
Verse 1
[G]Silent night, holy night,
[D]All is [D7]calm, [G]all is [G7]bright,
[C]Round yon virgin, [G]mother and [G7]child,
[C]Holy infant so [G]tender and mild,
[D]Sleep in [D7]heavenly [G]peace [Em]
[G]Sleep in [D7]heavenly [G]peace.
Verse 2
[G]Silent night, holy night,
[D]Shepherds [D7]quake [G]at the [G7]sight
[C]Glories stream from [G]heaven a-[G7]far
[C]Heavenly hosts sing [G]alleluia
[D]Christ the [D7]saviour is [G]born [Em]
[G]Christ the [D7]saviour is [G]born.
Verse 3
[G]Silent night, holy night,
[D]Son of [D7]God, [G]love’s pure [G7]light
[C]Radiant beams from [G]thy holy [G7]face,
[C]With the dawn of re-[G]deeming grace
[D]Jesus [D7]Lord at thy [G]birth [Em]
[G]Jesus [D7]Lord at thy [G]birth.
➡️ Download a PDF of ‘Silent Night’
➡️ Get Your Free Ukulele Chord Charts
The Story Behind the Song
“Silent Night” (originally “Stille Nacht”) was written in 1818 in a small village in Austria. The lyrics were written by priest Joseph Mohr, and the music was composed by schoolteacher and organist Franz Xaver Gruber.
The story goes that on Christmas Eve in 1818, Mohr discovered that the church organ in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf had broken down. With Christmas Mass approaching and no way to use the organ, he asked Gruber to quickly set his poem to music that could be performed with just a guitar.
That same night, they performed the song for the first time as a simple duet with guitar accompaniment. The carol’s gentle melody and peaceful message about the birth of Jesus resonated deeply with the congregation.
The lyrics focus on calmness, light, and divine peace, describing the night of Christ’s birth as “silent” and “holy.” Unlike many later Christmas songs, it has a deeply spiritual and meditative tone rather than festive imagery.
“Silent Night” spread gradually through traveling folk singers and organ builders who carried it beyond Austria into Germany and eventually across Europe. By the 19th century, it had become one of the most beloved Christmas hymns in the world.