O Tannenbaum
Hermann Prey & The Vienna Choir Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
TEXT: Ernst Anschütz, 1824
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur
zur Sommerzeit,
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 mich
was lehren:
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit
Gibt Trost und Kraft
zu jeder Zeit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Das soll dein Kleid
mich lehren.
ENGLISH
Literal English translation
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 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 Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
Your dress wants to
teach me something:
Your hope and durability
Provide comfort and strength
at any time.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree,
That's what your dress should
teach me.
The song "O Tannenbaum" celebrates the unique qualities of the Christmas tree. The song elicits images of the evergreen in both the summer and winter months. This is fitting and significant since the Christmas tree is a symbol of hope and endurance. The song is also an ode to the natural beauty of the evergreen's leaves or needles. The lyrics suggest that the leaves of the tree are loyal because they never change color, making it an appropriate symbol in difficult times when people need something to remain steadfast.
Moreover, the song invokes the joy and pleasure the Christmas tree brings by using it as a means of conveying it. The song implies the Christmas tree represents a source of happiness and loveliness that inspires and gladdens people’s hearts every Christmas. It suggests that the evergreen can embody joy, making it an important symbol of the season.
Lastly, the song points out that the Christmas tree teaches a lesson on hope and faith by its very nature, as it remains steadfast and green throughout the winter. Hence, the tree offers comfort and strength to people in need, providing an inspiring model for us during times of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree, your leaves/needles are very loyal!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
You’re not only green in summertime; you’re also green in the winter when it snows.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree, your leaves/needles are very loyal!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree! I like you very much!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
How often at Christmastime has a tree like you given me so much joy!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree! I like you very much!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree! Your dress wants to teach me something:
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.
Hope and durability provide comfort and strength at any time.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree! That’s what your dress should teach me.
Lyrics © Hansa Musik Verlag, RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Motor Songs GmbH
Written by: Ernst Anschuetz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind