Die Flippers (The Flippers) are a German Schlager group from Baden-Württemb… Read Full Bio ↴Die Flippers (The Flippers) are a German Schlager group from Baden-Württemberg formed in 1964. They are one of the most successful Schlager groups ever, and have been constantly recording and releasing new music since their self-titled debut album (which was released in 1970). In total they have released 45 albums, 5 of which have gone platinum, 24 gold. They won a Goldene Stimmgabel( "golden tuning fork" ,one of the most important German music awards) in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

O Tannenbaum
Die Flippers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

How loyal are your leaves/needles!
You’re green not only
In the summertime,
No, also in winter when it snows
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How loyal are your leaves/needles!
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 Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
You can please me very much!
How often has not at Christmastime
A tree like you given me such joy!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree,
You can please me very much!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Dein Kleid will mich
Was lehren
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit
Gibt Trost und Kraft
Zu jeder Zeit
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!

Das soll dein Kleid
Mich lehren.

Overall Meaning

The song "O Tannenbaum" or "O Christmas Tree" as it is commonly known as in English, is a classic German Christmas carol with a history dating back to the 16th century. The song's lyrics portray the Christmas tree as a symbol of steadfastness and loyalty. The opening lines of the song, "O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter" (O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how loyal are your leaves), symbolize the unchanging nature of the tree's green foliage through all seasons.

The second verse of the song speaks of the joy and delight that the Christmas tree brings during the festive season. The lines "Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!" (How often at Christmastime have I been delighted by a tree like you!) express the excitement that many feel when decorating the tree with ornaments and lighting.

The final verse of the song alludes to the virtues that the Christmas tree teaches, namely hope and constancy. The phrase "Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit" (Hope and constancy give comfort and strength at all times) emphasizes the tree's role as a symbol of tradition and endurance.

Line by Line Meaning

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
How loyal are your leaves/needles!

Du grünst nicht nur
You’re green not only

Zur Sommerzeit
In the summertime,

Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit
No, also in winter when it snows

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree,

Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
How loyal are your leaves/needles!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree!

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
You can please me very much!

Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
How often has not at Christmastime

Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
A tree like you given me such joy!