Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 in Oberndorf, Austria, with lyrics by Joseph Mohr and music by Franz Xaver Gruber. Originally written in German as Stille Nacht, it was translated into English in 1859 and became one of the most widely recorded Christmas songs in the world. Short clips of its opening melody are now shared online for seasonal edits and soundboards, where its instantly recognised, gentle tune is used to mark peaceful holiday moments.