This is not a Christmas song, but you would never know that if you listen to Christmas carols sung around the world. In fact, this song is a very sad and tragic love song that includes a very unfaithful lover.
Ach Tannenbaum is a 16th century folk song that was modified in 1819 by Joachim August Zarnack to become the basis of a song we now associate with Christmas. O Tannenbaum was a tragic love song that spoke of unfaithfulness and loss and compared it to the ever faithful and ever green fir tree, or tannenbaum.
Since this tree would never let you down, it was heralded as the epitome of faithfulness. It would be green and true (true was in the original German version), and it would never go bad or brown on you. By the way, in case you’re interested, it is the maiden who is not true to her lover!
In 1824, Ernst Anshutz took the song and added two verses. By this time, Christmas trees were becoming a normal part of the holiday décor German, so he associated it with Christmas and the evergreen trees we decorate. He never mentions any decoration or the birth of Christ within the song.
The tune is well known and has been used by a number states, including Florida and Michigan, for the tune behind their state songs.
A Charlie Brown Christmas uses this extensively as piano background music in quite a bit of their movie. It has been covered by more beautiful voices than I can even list, but Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett are notable singers. Of course, that’s not who I chose to showcase this song.
GERMAN:
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein, auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
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 Mut und Kraft zu jeder Zeit!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Dein Kleid will mich was lehren!
ENGLISH:
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
They are green when summer days are bright,
They are green when winter snow is white.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
How oft at Christmas tide the sight,
O green fir tree, gives us delight!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Forever true your colour.
Your boughs so green in summertime
Stay bravely green in wintertime.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Forever true your colour.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
You fill my heart with music.
Reminding me on Christmas Day
To think of you and then be gay.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
You fill my heart with music.
Enjoy this rendition that includes another version of the English version that we may be more familiar with than this penned version.
Now that you are warm and fuzzy, let’s go see what we can find for our true loves who are as faithful as the evergreen.
Teardrop Picasso Bracelet
Big Dangly Handmade Fused Glass Starfish Beach Earrings
Dragonfly Necklace
Red and Green Apple Coasters
Protective Laptop Sleeve in Earthy Colors
Kelly Green Tartan Plaid Dog Bandana
Boho Dangle Earrings for Women
Unique Earrings for Women
Jesus Christ Christmas Tree Ornament
Quilted Floral Hot Pad
Nebraska Farm Corn Fields
Recycled Bottle Christmas Ornament
Dinosaur Stickers
Hand Knit Reversible Cowl Tropical Juice Sage Teal
Green Turquoise Picasso Tile Copper Superduo Beaded Handmade Bracelet
Emerald Crystal Earrings
Handmade Holly Lampwork Christmas Earrings
Etched Transparent Sage Green Lampwork Sea Glass Beads
Kingman Green Blue Turquoise Nugget Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelet
Large Dark Green Oval Russian Serpentine Gemstone Pendant Necklace
These talented artists are available for special requests or orders, so don’t hesitate to contact them if you have any questions about these pieces.
Here are some more showcases for you to enjoy:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Silent Night, Holy Night
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
White Christmas
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Go Tell it on the Mountain
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Away in the Manger
Hurry because handmade sells out fast, and when they are gone, they are gone! Buy now.
Enjoy!
Julie