Stille Nacht!

[You can click here for a closer look at this image.]

"Weyhnacht's Lied," the song we call "Stille Nacht" or "Silent Night," was written in 1816. And the original song was quite a bit different from the interpretations we have understood to be traditional. You can find a convincing argument (with details and images) at the Silent Night Museum.

Here are a few differences: Notice the rest at the end of the first two measures:

Notice the melodic difference here, with that nice D sharp neighbor tone:

And notice the melodic variation here:

And the rhythmic variation here:

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, and happy music making for all who find themselves singing this song with a little bit more insight.