The original melody of Heilige Nacht! is utterly lovely, and still sung, thankfully, as the default form in Austria and Germany. Unfortunately, a mid-nineteenth century mistransciption led to the proliferation and transatlantic popularity of the familiar English-language version and its later sentimentalisation. But the original tune has a glorious Tyrolean joyfulness about it, and it is a crying shame that we just don’t sing it in the English-speaking world. Hence this arrangement, with Gruber’s tune and the English words. The keyboard is optional, as are the suggested obbligato flutes. The guitar part is similar to the original’s, however, and should be retained if possible.