O Tannenbaum – Bilingual Lyrics German/English

• By: Simone Sommerland, Karsten Glück
• Album: Die 30 besten Weihnachtslieder

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heartwarming world of German Christmas with "O Tannenbaum," a classic carol that transcends mere holiday cheer. Learning this song offers a fantastic opportunity to grasp fundamental German vocabulary related to nature and seasons, while also appreciating how cultural symbols like the steadfast fir tree embody deeper meanings of hope and loyalty. Its simple, repetitive structure makes it perfect for language learners to practice pronunciation and rhythm, making it a truly special gateway to the German language and its rich festive traditions.

[English]

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

How green are your leaves

Not only during summertime

No, also in winter, when it snows

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

How green are your leaves

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

You can be very charming to me

How many times at Christmas time

A tree like you has delighted me so

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

You can be very charming to me

...

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Your attire has something to teach me

Hope and stability

Give courage and strength at all times

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Your attire has something to teach me

...

[German]

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum

Wie grün sind deine Blätter

Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit

Nein, auch im Winter, wenn es schneit

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum

Wie grün sind deine Blätter

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen

Wie oft hat schon zur Weihnachtszeit

Ein Baum von dir mich hocherfreut

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

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Tannenbaum /ˈtænənˌbaʊm/ A1	noun - fir tree
grün /ɡruːn/ A1	adjective - green
Blätter /ˈblɛtɐ/ A2	noun - leaves
Winter /ˈwɪntər/ A1	noun - winter
schneit /ʃnaɪt/ A2	verb - to snow
Kleid /klaɪd/ A2	noun - dress
Hoffnung /ˈhɔfnʊŋ/ B1	noun - hope
Beständigkeit /bɛˈʃtɛndɪɡkaɪt/ B2	noun - permanence
Mut /muːt/ B1	noun - courage
Kraft /kraft/ B1	noun - strength
Zeit /tsaɪt/ A1	noun - time
gefallen /ɡəˈfalən/ B1	verb - to please
freuen /ˈfrɔɪən/ B1	verb - to rejoice

Key Grammar Structures

• O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum

  ➔ Noun phrase

  ➔ The phrase "O Tannenbaum" serves as a direct address to the subject, emphasizing its importance.

• Wie grün sind deine Blätter

  ➔ Interrogative structure

  ➔ The phrase "Wie grün" is an interrogative expression asking about the state of the leaves.

• Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit

  ➔ Adverbial phrase

  ➔ The phrase "nicht nur zur Sommerzeit" indicates a limitation, showing that the subject is green not only in summer.

• Gibt Mut und Kraft zu jeder Zeit

  ➔ Present tense

  ➔ The verb "gibt" is in the present tense, indicating a general truth about the subject providing courage and strength.

• Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit

  ➔ Noun phrase

  ➔ The phrase "Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit" is a noun phrase that lists two important qualities.

• Du kannst mir sehr gefallen

  ➔ Modal verb

  ➔ The modal verb "kannst" expresses ability or possibility, indicating that the subject can please the speaker.

• Ein Baum von dir mich hocherfreut

  ➔ Prepositional phrase

  ➔ The phrase "Ein Baum von dir" is a prepositional phrase indicating the source of joy.