O Christmas Tree
(O Tannenbaum)
Traditional

Centuries ago, a lovely legend arose that on the night Jesus was born, all the trees in the forests everywhere -- in Africa where the night was warm, in Iceland where the night was frosty -- bloomed and bore their most delicate fruit. Another legend exists, too, that Martin Luther, striding through the woods late one Christmas Eve, noticed how exquisitely pure the starlight seemed when glimpsed through the trees, so he took home an evergreen as a remembrance of that Christmas night and decorated it with candles to simulate the stars. Whatever the true story of the first Christmas tree, the custom of decorating trees at Christmas arose in Germany. Today, there is no more universal holiday decoration. The most popular carol about the Christmas tree is this one from Germany, "O Christmas Tree," also known as "O Tannenbaum."

Click here to listen to O Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, thy leaves are so unchanging.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, thy leaves are so unchanging.
Not only green when summer's here but also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, thy leaves are so unchanging.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you fill all hearts with gaiety.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you fill all hearts with gaiety.
On Christmas Day, you stand so tall, affording joy to one and all.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you fill all hearts with gaiety.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter.
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.