O Tannenbaum
John Alldis/London Symphony Orchestra 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' speaks to the evergreen tree, a symbol of Christmas, and its unchanging nature through the seasons. The first verse is an ode to the faithful nature of the evergreen, which stays green not only in the summer but also in the winter, when everything else dies. The second verse is a personal tribute to the tree's beauty, stating how much the singer is enamored by it, especially during Christmas time. The third verse delves deeper into the symbolism of the tree, with its clothing - the leaves - personifying attributes such as hope and durability. The tree provides a source of comfort and strength in difficult times, such as the winter and other hardships we face in life. The song offers itself as a reminder of the enduring qualities of the Christmas tree and how it can offer lessons in resilience and staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how loyal are your leaves!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
You don't only stay green in summertime, but also in winter when it snows.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how loyal are your leaves!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree! You can please me 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 such joy!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree! You can please me very much!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree! Your dress wants to teach me something:
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.
That hope and stability provide comfort and strength at any time.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren.
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree! That's what your dress should teach me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDITH BERGDAHL, NAT COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind