O Tannenbaum

German song about a fir tree, associated in English with Christmas "O Christmas Tree" redirects here. For the album by Celtic Woman, see O Christmas Tree (album). Not to be confused with Operation Tannenbaum, the proposed World War II invasion of Switzerland by the Axis Powers.

"O Tannenbaum"Silver fir (Abies alba)SongLanguageGermanEnglish titleO Christmas TreePublished1824LyricistErnst AnschützAudio sampleBilingual performance of the first verse by the United States Army Band Chorusfilehelp

"O Tannenbaum" (German: [oː ˈtanənbaʊm]; "O fir tree"), known in English as "O Christmas Tree", is a German Christmas song. Based on a traditional folk song that was unrelated to the holiday, it became associated with the traditional Christmas tree.

[edit] The song lyrics draw on a long-standing tradition of the Tannenbaum (the German name for a fir tree) as a symbol of faithfulness due to the tree's evergreen quality. As early as the 16th century, songbooks included a text that gave rise to a folk song, "O Tannenbaum, du trägst ein' grünen Zweig" ("O fir tree, you wear a green branch"). In the 1856 edition of the Deutscher Liederhort, folk song collector Ludwig Erk identified three distinct melodies associated with this song in different regions of Germany. While the tunes were only recorded in the 18th and 19th centuries, a line from the song using one of the melodies was quoted in 1605 by Melchior Franck in the quodlibet "Nun fanget an". In 1820 German educator August Zarnack published the second volume of his collection of folk songs for use in schools, including as No. 51 "Der Tannenbaum". For this number the existing folk song may have served as inspiration, but the text now presented as a lover's complaint, in which the fidelity of the fir tree is contrasted with the fickleness of a maiden. Zarnack also paired the song with a tune a bit different from those collected by Erk, using a melody that had earlier been published with the song "Es lebe hoch der Zimmermannsgeselle" ("Up high works the carpenter's apprentice"). As was occasionally the practice of folklorists under German Romanticism, Zarnack may well have written much or all of the text himself, basing the song on his own conception of a suitably folk idiom. The lyrics known today were written by Ernst Anschütz, a teacher and organist in Leipzig, and published in his 1824 Musikalisches Schulgesangbuch. Anschütz wrote two additional verses to the song, linking the tree's faithful colouration to the joy and hope of the Christmas season. While he published it with the same "Zimmermannsgeselle" tune as Zarnack, it eventually was associated with the melody of "Lauriger Horatius", an old student song. As the custom of decorating Christmas trees became more widespread in this period, this became one of the most popular Christmas songs in both German and English, although it is not explicitly about such a tree. Anschütz retained Zarnack's first verse, hence in German the song does not actually refer to Christmas until the second verse. Some versions today change treu ("faithful") to grün ("green") and may also alter the line Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit to Wie oft hat schon zur Winterzeit; if the third verse with pedagogical allusions to religion is omitted, the text can be made effectively secular.

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Anschütz (1824)

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 mir was lehren; Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit Giebt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Dein Kleid will mir was lehren.

Loose English translation

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!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, With what delight I see you! When winter days are dark and drear You bring us hope for all the year. O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, With what delight I see you!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, You bear a joyful message: That faith and hope shall ever bloom To bring us light in winter's gloom. O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, You bear a joyful message

Another English version

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!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure dost thou bring me! For ev'ry year the Christmas tree, Brings to us all both joy and glee. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure dost thou bring me!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are thy branches! Not only green when summer's here But in the coldest time of year. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are thy branches!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How sturdy God hath made thee! Thou bidd'st us all place faithfully Our trust in God, unchangingly! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How sturdy God hath made thee!

[edit] The tune has also been used (as a contrafactum) to carry other texts on many occasions. Notable uses include:

"The Red Flag", anthem of the British and Irish Labour Parties Florida – "Florida, My Florida", former state song Maryland – "Maryland, My Maryland", the former state song of Maryland Michigan – "Michigan, My Michigan", widely believed to be the official state song Iowa – "The Song of Iowa", official state song Labrador – "Ode to Labrador", regional anthem Dickinson College's alma mater, "Noble Dickinsonia," with words written by Horatio Collins King. The College of the Holy Cross's alma mater is sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". When traveling by bus, schoolchildren in Sweden sing "En busschaufför" (Swedish for "a bus driver") or "Vår busschaufför" ("Our bus driver") to the melody. St. Bonaventure University's alma mater, "With Myrtle Wreath We'll Deck Thy Brow" Nankai University's alma mater is sung to the melody. St. John's University (New York City)'s alma mater is sung to the melody. "Scout Vespers", used by the Boy Scouts of America, "Old St. John's", is sung to the melody. Similarly, "Softly Falls" in which used by the Girl Scouts of the USA, is sung to the melody, as referenced in the song "On My Honor". In the 1988 film Moon over Parador, the Parador national anthem is sung to the melody. "Democrats, Good Democrats", an 1884 campaign song for Grover Cleveland.

The melody of “O Tannenbaum” has a timeless, almost hymn‑like quality that makes it instantly recognisable even when the lyrics are swapped for a different language. Its simple, stepwise contour allows choirs, brass bands and solo singers to weave it into any festive programme without sounding forced. Because the original folk song praised the fir’s steadfastness, the tune naturally lends itself to a feeling of endurance – exactly the sentiment people want when they gather around a decorated tree. This subtle emotional undercurrent is why the piece has survived beyond its 19th‑century roots and remains a staple in both religious services and secular winter concerts across the UK.

There are dozens of recordings of “O Tannenbaum”, from full‑sounding orchestral arrangements to intimate acoustic guitar renditions. When picking a track for a family gathering, consider the acoustic space: a larger living‑room with a good sound system can handle a lush, multi‑instrument version, while a cosy cottage benefits from a stripped‑back vocal or piano take. Look for recordings that keep the tempo steady – too brisk can feel jolly, too slow may turn the piece into a lullaby. Pay attention to the balance between the lead voice and the backing choir; a clear vocal line helps the familiar German phrase cut through the chatter, keeping the mood festive without overwhelming conversation.