A JOLLY CHRISTMAS FROM FRANK SINATRA — Track #12: “Silent Night”

“Sleep in heavenly peace…”

Frank’s birthday was December 12th. There are 12 tracks on A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra — his first Christmas album, released by Capitol Records in 1957. We’ve brought them your way in order, through December 24.

“Silent Night” rounds out the album at Track #12, a solemn and stoic rendition of the Christmas classic written by Franz Gruber—not to be confused with this guy…

…that’s Hans Gruber, the guy who [SPOILER ALERT] falls off the Nakatomi Plaza. No relation.

Franz Gruber was an Austrian composer, who teamed up with lyricist Joseph Mohr in 1818 to create one of the most beloved and performed pieces in the history of music. In fact, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the third-best-selling single of all time.

“Yippee-Ki-Yay.”

Here’s Frank Sinatra and his version, a solid effort in its own right, anchoring one of the finest albums to ever come out of the Christmas genre.

Have a blessed and merry Christmas, from all of us at hMAG.