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
Great selections, Julie and Blu. Thank you so much for including my cowl. Shared all.
ReplyDeleteGreen is my favorite color, especially sage! This is a beautiful grouping of green treats that will make holiday shopping a pleasure!
ReplyDeleteVery nice selections for holiday shopping.
ReplyDeleteLots of pretty greens! Thank you, Julie! Will share.
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie for another midweek post and for another lovely holiday song choice. Green is my favorite color so I am enjoying all these beautiful shades. Will promote on all social media.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty selection of greens, thank you for including my bracelet, will share.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another wonderful extra promotion - and for including my emerald crystal earrings here. Interesting info about O Tannenbaum too! Will be sharing. :) Treats to beautiful Blu from Le Gonze.
ReplyDeleteThanks for including my hot pads! Onderzetters in Dutch. :)
ReplyDeleteAs always, another interesting history of a much loved Christmas song. And a perfect choice to highlight the color green (one of my favorite colors). Many thanks for inlcuding my lampwork earrings. Will share all around. Treats to the Handsome Blu from the Playing Seamus Who Does Not Realize He's Not Coming Home Today.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection Julie and Blu. Thank you for including my bracelet. Now I'm off to share...
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll join with all the others who said it - Green is absolutely one of my favorite colors! Very nice presentation of Handmade in that color!
ReplyDeletedone!
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie for including my photograph in this beautiful green collection Love it :)
ReplyDeletePromoted
Have a blessed day
CC
I am not well versed in the meanings of Christmas songs and, so, was totally surprised to learn the true meaning of this particular one. No wonder it has such a sad melody! Thank you for writing the blog, Julie, and for promoting our handmade work including my necklace! Will share. All the best to you and Blu!
ReplyDeleteInteresting story behind this song and your selection of everything green here is such a delight. Thank you for including my Dinosaur Stickers. Off to share.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pieces you've selected! Thank you for including my broken bottle art. Have shared all.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for including my quilted floral hot pads - they sold!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie. Really enjoyed learning something today that I didn't know! Promoted!
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie & Blu! Have pinned each item - wishing everyone happy sales!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection and interesting blog. Thanks Julie and Blu!
ReplyDelete