He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
O Tannenbaum
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur
Zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch I'm Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
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!
Mich lehren.
The song "O Tannenbaum" is a traditional German Christmas carol that has been translated into many different languages, including English. The song praises the qualities of the Tannenbaum, or Christmas tree, and uses it as a metaphor for values like loyalty and resilience. The first verse celebrates the evergreen nature of the tree and how it remains steadfast and loyal even in the coldest and harshest of winters. The second verse speaks to the beauty and joy that the tree brings during the Christmas season, and how it has a special ability to lift our spirits.
The final verse gets at the heart of the song's meaning, suggesting that the tree's unwavering commitment to life despite the changing seasons can teach us valuable lessons about hope and perseverance. The tree becomes a symbol of the human spirit, which can withstand hardship and continue to thrive even in the face of adversity. Overall, the song is a powerful celebration of the beauty, strength, and meaning of the Christmas tree, and a reminder of the values it represents.
Line by Line Meaning
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
How loyal are your leaves!
Du grünst nicht nur
Zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch I'm Winter, wenn es schneit.
You're not only green in summertime, but also in winter, when it snows.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
How loyal are your leaves!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
You can please me greatly!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
How often at Christmastime has a tree like you delighted me so much!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree,
Dein Kleid will mich
Was lehren:
Your appearance teaches me something:
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit
Gibt Trost und Kraft
Zu jeder Zeit.
Hope and perseverance bring comfort and strength at all times.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree,
Mich lehren.
Teach me.
Contributed by Caroline M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bebot / Max Philippines.
its February, 2016 and am listening to this beautiful rendition, thanks for posting, advance MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Dean Kenny
i wish he would have preformed more in the us
Bebot / Max Philippines.
its the last week of September, 2019 and am enjoying this song.