O Christmas Tree

German Folk Carol

Germany: O Christmas Tree or O Tannenbaum is an ancient carol of unknown origin. Christmas trees became a Holiday decoration in the 16th century so this song was probably written in the 16th or 17th century. To hear the music for this hymn click on the button. Choose Traditional #20. Then click on this page.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How lovely are thy branches!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are thy branches!

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!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

For every year the Christmas tree,
Brings to us all both joy and glee.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!

Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Your boughs are so unchanging;
In beauty green you'll always grow,
Through summer sun and winter snow
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Your boughs are so unchanging.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Your candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Your boughs are so unchanging.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How faithful is thy foliage.
You keep your green and lovely glow
in summer and in winter snow.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How faithful is thy foliage.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
you give us so much pleasure.
At Christmas time we gaze on you
and feel great joy that thou art true.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
you give us so much pleasure.)





Thank-you to J. S. Magic for the graphics