O Fir Tree Dark
Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
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I wander through the silent night
And feel thy fragrance in the air
And see thy branches robed in white
O fir tree dark, O fir tree dear
How blessed is our Christmas tide
So strong the charm that holds me here
The twinkling lights that deck thy boughs
Enchant me with their shining spell
And in a language all their own
The lovely Christmas story tells
O fir tree dark, O fir tree dear
I feel the wings of angels near
Bing Crosby's "O Fir Tree Dark" is a beautiful Christmas carol that reveres the symbolism and beauty of the fir tree, which was traditionally used as a Christmas symbol in the early centuries of Christianity. In the first verse, Crosby expresses his admiration for the tree's fragrant aroma and the snow-laden branches that evoke a sense of calm during the silent night. The second verse contemplates the blissful feeling of Christmas, acknowledging the lasting effect of the holiday's charm that holds him captivated by the tree's allure. The third verse relates the festive atmosphere of the tree adorned with twinkling lights that spellbind the singer, and how it subtly narrates the story of Christmas in its own expressive language. He concludes the song by drawing a parallel between the tree's charms and the divine presence of the angels that he feels.
Overall, Crosby's "O Fir Tree Dark" is a nostalgic and emotive contemplation of the natural and spiritual beauty surrounding Christmas. It captures the sentimentality of the season and the essence of the ancients' love for nature as an expression of their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
O fir tree dark, O fir tree dear
The singer addresses the fir tree with affection and reverence.
I wander through the silent night
The singer is walking around at night.
And feel thy fragrance in the air
The singer can smell the tree's scent in the air.
And see thy branches robed in white
The tree's branches are covered in a white substance, which could be snow or something else.
How blessed is our Christmas tide
The artist considers Christmas a fortunate and special time.
So strong the charm that holds me here
The singer is strongly attracted to the tree and feels compelled to stay near it.
In truth, I scarce can leave thy side
The singer has difficulty separating from the tree.
The twinkling lights that deck thy boughs
The lights that are hung on the tree's branches are twinkling or sparkling.
Enchant me with their shining spell
The lights have a magical quality that captivates the artist.
And in a language all their own
The lights seem to communicate something in a unique way.
The lovely Christmas story tells
The lights communicate something that the singer interprets as being related to the Christmas story.
I feel the wings of angels near
The artist senses a spiritual presence or connection while near the tree.
Contributed by Elliot F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.