O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) - Chords, Lyrics and Origins
Origins
O Tannenbaum, known in English as 'O Christmas Tree', is a German folk song that has become a popular Christmas carol. The lyrics were written in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz. Anschütz based his song on a sixteenth century folk song from Sielsia, which compared the unchaning evergreen fir tree unfavourably with a faithless lover. As the custom of displaying fir trees - that is Christmas trees - inside the house became established during the course of the nineteenth century, O Tannenbaum became more and more strongly associated with Christmas. O Tannenbaum's chords are straightforward. Move your capo up and down your guitar's fretboard to find the key that works best for you.
Chords
Capo at 3rd Fret
C
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
F G7 C
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
C
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
F G7 C
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
C
Du grünst nicht nur
G7
Zur Sommerzeit,
C
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
C Am
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
F G7 C
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
C
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
F G7 C
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
C
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
F G7 C
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
C G7
Not only green when summer's here,
C
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
C Am
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
F G7 C
Thy leaves are so unchanging.
Lyrics
German Lyrics
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 Trost und Kraft
zu jeder Zeit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Das soll dein Kleid
mich lehren.
English Lyrics
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"