Silent Night
A special gift of hope, strength and love – just for you.
This year, compassionate supporters like you have provided life-saving aid to refugees around the world.
As we approach the season of giving, we have a special gift for you: a beautiful rendition of 'Silent Night' by NOURI.
NOURI is a chart-topping Kiwi-Kurdish singer. She has reimagined 'Silent Night' as a lullaby, sung by a refugee mother to her child. For NOURI, it's deeply personal. She was once a baby girl in a refugee camp cradled in her mother’s arms.
"It came from what I think my mother would tell me. We're going to be safe. You're going to be able to dream of anything you want to be. That's where I got the inspiration to write it. It was just truly from my own mother's love."
The artist
NOURI's family fled conflict in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the 90s and sought safety in a refugee camp in Syria. "That's where I was born – in a tent," she says.
After three years, NOURI's family received humanitarian visas to resettle in Aotearoa New Zealand. The transition was extremely difficult.
"We didn't have anything. There was the language barrier, figuring out where we would live... We went to school with plastic bags instead of school bags."
For young NOURI, music was an outlet. She began singing in talent quests before performing at national events, eventually releasing her debut single 'Where Do We Go From Here' in 2018. Today, NOURI is an international artist sharing messages of hope.
NOURI says she's extremely grateful her family was able to build a new life in New Zealand. "Coming as refugees meant we had a chance to live. And we got a chance to dream."
But her utmost gratitude goes to her mother, who supported NOURI and her siblings through everything. "My mum's strength was indescribable. I watched her survive the impossible with six kids, and that taught me everything. Her name means 'hero'."
The lyrics
Verse 1:
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, when you’re in my arms
Close your eyes and hold me tight
In my arms, you’re safe tonight
When you wake, I’ll still be here
So sleep in peace my dear
Verse 2:
Silent night, holy night
When the road is hard to climb
Hold me through the darkest times
I will dry your weary eyes
I won’t ever leave your side
So sleep in peace tonight
Verse 3:
Silent night, holy night
Dream of all you're yet to see
All the places you will reach
Dream of who you're meant to be
Dream of heavenly peace
Dream in heavenly peace
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLLABORATION
The meaning
NOURI chose to rewrite the 'Silent Night' lyrics from the perspective of a mother singing to her child in a refugee camp.
"My mum was that to four kids in a camp," she says. "Thinking about kids in that situation, mothers and families in that situation, trying to just get through another winter or just get food on the table – that for me is so heartbreaking.
"'Silent Night' actually means a lot to me. It's been my favourite Christmas song for the longest time. Being able to put my creative spin on it to help refugees is just very heartwarming to me. I hope it tells the story of the situations going on right now around the world."
GO BEHIND THE SCENES: Watch our video about the collaboration now.
The purpose
NOURI chose to rewrite the 'Silent Night' lyrics from the perspective of a mother singing to her child in a refugee camp.
"My mum was that to four kids in a camp," she says. "Thinking about kids in that situation, mothers and families in that situation, trying to just get through another winter or just get food on the table – that for me is so heartbreaking.
"'Silent Night' actually means a lot to me. It's been my favourite Christmas song for the longest time. Being able to put my creative spin on it to help refugees is just very heartwarming to me. I hope it tells the story of the situations going on right now around the world."
GO BEHIND THE SCENES: Watch our video about the collaboration now.
The season of giving
Thank you to everyone who has donated this year to help refugees survive, recover and rebuild.
Right now, a brutal winter looms over the Northern Hemisphere. The cold is creeping into shattered homes in Ukraine and flimsy tents in Afghanistan. Without secure shelter, warm clothes or heating, this will be a season of acute suffering.
You can help rush vital winter aid to vulnerable communities. Please consider donating now to provide warmth and comfort to families who've already endured so much.
Your generosity can bring warmth, safety and hope to families facing another harsh winter.
