"O Tannenbaum" - "O Fir Tree" - is an old German traditional folk song that pays tribute to the evergreen fir tree as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness. There were many
Tannenbaum songs in German, but the best known version was penned in 1824 by a Leipzig organist named Ernst Anshütz. By the 19th century O Tannenbaum had become associated with the Christmas tree and was being sung as a Christmas carol. It is known in English as "O Christmas Tree" even though the word Christmas is not actually in the
original song.
The German lyrics are at left below, and a more faithful English translation of them is to their right. These are the words in English usually sung to the O Tannenbaum tune: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches, O Christmas, O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches. Not only green when summer goes, but in the winter when it snows, O Christmas, O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches.
Listen to O Tannenbaum
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur
zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit
Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How steadfast are your needles!
Green not only in the Summertime,
But also in Winter when it snows.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How steadfast are your needles!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You make me very happy!
How often at Christmastime has
A tree like you given me great joy!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree,
You make me very happy!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Your dress wants to teach me something:
Your hope and durability
Always provide comfort and strength.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree,
That's what your dress teaches me.
