It’s time for another great December music lesson. Enjoy this free 15-Minute Music Lesson for “O Christmas Tree!”
History of the song “O Christmas Tree”
Did you know that the song “O Christmas Tree” was originally written in German, and that it wasn’t even a Christmas song?
“O Tannenbaum” translates from German to English as “O Fir Tree.” It’s based on a folk song, which means that we don’t know who originally wrote the tune or words.
(Composers are often inspired by items in nature, such as evergreen trees, horses, caves, or even sharks!)
“O Tannenbaum” received modern lyrics in 1824 Ernst Anschütz who was an organist, teacher and composer from Leipzig, Germany. The German words “refer to the fir’s evergreen quality as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness.” (from Wikipedia)
Since the Christmas tree became popular in Germany in the 1800s, the song eventually began to be seen as a Christmas song. Learn more about how the evergreen tree came to be known as a Christmas symbol in The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rick Osborne.
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Verse 1 of “O Christmas Tree” in German
There are several different English translations that you’ll often heard sung.
Which do you like the most?
Here is the German version of verse 1:
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu [or grün] sind deine Blätter!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu [or grün] 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!
Here is a loose translation into English:
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
How faithfully you blossom!
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
How faithfully you blossom!
Through summer’s heat and winter’s chill
Your leaves are green and blooming still.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
How faithfully you blossom!
Verse 1 of “O Christmas Tree” in English
Here is one English version:
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
They are green when summer days are bright,
They are green when winter snow is white.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
Another English version:
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
A third English version:
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
Your boughs so green in summertime
Stay bravely green in wintertime
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
And, a fourth English version!:
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when it’s cold and drear.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging!
Listen to “O Christmas Tree”
Here is a gorgeous a cappella version (voices only) sung in German with English translation subtitles.
And, here’s a version sung in English:
Sing “O Christmas Tree”
Here is some free sheet music for the song “O Christmas Tree.”
And an accompaniment for your singing is on this video:
Free Download for Free 15-Minute Music Lesson for “O Christmas Tree”
Get a page to learn the name types of 5 different notes
Color a Christmas Tree by code
A Listen and Draw Page
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**Do you have some other ideas to add to this music lesson for “O Christmas Tree?” Please leave a comment below!
Do a Marble-Painted Christmas Tree Craft:
Head over to my other website for a really fun and easy Christmas Tree craft using marble painting.
Related Posts:
- 15-Minute Music Lesson Freebie for “O Come O Come Emmanuel”
- Free 15-Minute Music Lesson of Handel’s Messiah
- “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Free 15-Minute Music Lesson
- Free 15-Minute Music Lesson Christmas Traditional “Lessons and Carols”
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