Franz Gruber
In the year 1818 on Christmas Eve, December 24, Franz Gruber, an organist, composed a hymn called “Song of Heaven.” This was composed in an Austrian village named Hallein. The village located in Oberdorf was in the Alpine section of Austria.
Joseph Mohr
Since the organ at the St. Nicholas church was not functioning correctly Joseph Mohr, an assistant priest at the parish, wrote this new tune. The tune was originally written for two voices accompanied by a guitar. In the year 1840 the song was published in a collection of Tyrolean songs. The very popularity of Tyrolean songs assisted in the popularization of this carol.
Franz Gruber's birthplace
It was first used in America in the year 1849, the carol became so famous that though search was made for its composer, the composer was never found. Gruber later learned that the popular carol had been “memorized,” and was sung for 36 years and had become the most beloved Christmas hymn of all time under another name – "Silent Night."
Sources:
William J. Reynolds, Companion to Baptist Hymnal. (Nashville, Tennesee: Broadman Press, 1976) pp. 192-193.
P.L. Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, (Garland, Texas: Bible Communications, 1996; 1979)
Picture of Mohr can be found at: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/museum/59/mohr.html
Picture of Gruber can be found at: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/museum/59/gruber.html
Grubers birthplace can be found at: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/museum/59/gruber.html
