O Tannenbaum… The Christmas song “O Tannenbaum” is more th | Learn German with Leo🦁

O Tannenbaum…

The Christmas song “O Tannenbaum” is more than one century old. It was written in the middle of the 19th century, and the folklore song of the middle of the 16th century formed the basis for it. Interestingly, the song has almost nothing to do with Christmas - but this does not prevent many from considering it one of the most festive German songs. Today we will analyze its text in full (we translated the repeated lines only once):

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree
Wie grün sind deine Blatter.
How green are your needles (Blätter - leaves)
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit
You turn green not only in summer,
Nein auch im Winter wenn es schneit.
No, even in winter when it snows.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum
Wie grün sind deine Blatter!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
I really like you!
Wie oft hat schon zur Weihnachtszeit
How often at Christmas time
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut.
Your tree made me very happy.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum
Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:
Your outfit wants to teach me something
Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit
Hope and constancy
Gibt Mut und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.
Gives courage and strength at any time
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum
Dein Kleid will mich was lehren.

What is your favorite Christmas or New Year song?