<P> `` Silent Night '' ( German : Stille Nacht , heilige Nacht ) is a popular Christmas carol , composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg , Austria . It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011 . The song has been recorded by a large number of singers from every music genre . The version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best - selling single of all - time . </P>
<P> `` Silent Night '' ( German : Stille Nacht , heilige Nacht ) is a popular Christmas carol , composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg , Austria . It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011 . The song has been recorded by a large number of singers from every music genre . The version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best - selling single of all - time . </P>
where was the song silent night first sung
where was the song silent night first sung
Oberndorf bei Salzburg , Austria
Oberndorf bei Salzburg , Austria