| "O Tannenbaum" | |
|---|---|
 Silver fir (Abies alba) | |
| Song | |
| Language | German |
| English title | O Christmas Tree |
| Published | 1824 |
| Songwriter(s) | Ernst Anschütz, based on a 16th-centurySilesian folk song byMelchior Franck[citation needed] |
| Audio sample | |
Bilingual performance of the first verse by theUnited States Army Band Chorus | |
"O Tannenbaum" (German:[oːˈtanənbaʊm]; "O fir tree"), known in English as "O Christmas Tree", is a GermanChristmas song. Based on a traditional folk song that was unrelated to the holiday, it became associated with the traditionalChristmas tree.
The modern lyrics were written in 1824 by theLeipzig organist, teacher and composerErnst Anschütz. ATannenbaum is afir tree. The lyrics do not actually refer to Christmas, or describe a decorated Christmas tree. Instead, they refer to the fir'severgreen quality as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness.[1]
Anschütz based his text on a 16th-centurySilesian folk song byMelchior Franck[citation needed], "Ach Tannenbaum". In 1819August Zarnack wrote a tragic love song inspired by this folk song, taking the evergreen, "faithful" fir tree as contrasting with a faithless lover. The folk song first became associated with Christmas with Anschütz, who added two verses of his own to the first, traditional verse. The custom of the Christmas tree developed in the course of the 19th century, and the song came to be seen as a Christmas carol. Anschütz's version still hadtreu (true, faithful) as the adjective describing the fir's leaves (needles), harking back to the contrast to the faithless maiden of the folk song. This was changed togrün (green) at some point in the 20th century, after the song had come to be associated with Christmas.[2]
The tune is an old folk tune attested in the 16th century.[citation needed] It is also known as the tune of "Es lebe hoch der Zimmermannsgeselle" ("Long Live the Carpenter’s Apprentice"[3]) and of "Lauriger Horatius" ("Time’s A-flying"[4]).
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, | Loose English translation[6] O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, | Another English version[7] O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, | Yet another English version[8] O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
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The tune has also been used (as acontrafactum) to carry other texts on many occasions. Notable uses include:
