During World War II, Alexander was a member of the Luftwaffenhelfer and the Reichsarbeitsdienst before being drafted into the navy. In 1945, he was captured by the British and held as a prisoner-of-war.
After the war he attended Vienna's Max Reinhardt Seminary for actors until 1948 and started a career as actor. He starred in several musical comedies, including among others Liebe, Tanz und 1000 Schlager and Peter schießt den Vogel ab. Later he starred in the famous Count Bobby movies and the Luemmel-series. In the 1970s, Peter Alexander started a second career as a TV host and entertainer. He is a talented imitator of voices and people, including Queen Elizabeth II.
He married Hilde Haagen in 1952, and they had two children, Susanne Alexander Neumayer (born in 1958), an artist, and Michael (born in 1963). Since the death of his wife Hilde in 2003, he has lived in his house in Vienna in the 19th district, completely retired from the public.
Peter Alexander died on February 12th 2011 in Vienna.
O du fröhliche
Peter Alexander Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Welt ging verloren,
Christ ward geboren,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
O du fröhliche, o du selige,
Gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Uns zu versühnen,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
O du fröhliche, o du selige,
Gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Himmlische Heere
Jauchzen dir Ehre,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
The lyrics of "O du fröhliche" by Peter Alexander express the joy and happiness of the Christmas season, and the coming of Jesus Christ as a savior who brings redemption and grace to the world. The repetition of "O du fröhliche, o du selige, gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!" reinforce the message of the song and evoke the feelings of the festive occasion. The first and second verses speak about how the world was lost without Christ, but his coming has brought joy to the world. The final verse talks about how angels rejoice in the birth of Christ and bring honor to him.
Line by Line Meaning
O du fröhliche, o du selige,
Oh, you joyful and blessed one,
Gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Grace bringing Christmas time!
Welt ging verloren,
The world was lost,
Christ ward geboren,
Christ was born,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
Rejoice, rejoice, oh Christianity!
Christ ist erschienen,
Christ has appeared,
Uns zu versühnen,
To reconcile with us,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
Rejoice, rejoice, oh Christianity!
Himmlische Heere
Heavenly host
Jauchzen dir Ehre,
Sing glory to you,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!
Rejoice, rejoice, oh Christianity!
Contributed by Lucas V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.