O Christmas Tree

Summary


"O Christmas Tree" is a classic Christmas poem that celebrates the evergreen tree as a symbol of constancy and joy. Through five lyrical verses, the poem marvels at the tree's enduring green leaves through summer and winter alike, its bright candlelight making toys sparkle, and its steadfast strength as a reminder of unwavering faith. Each refrain builds a warm sense of seasonal wonder, weaving together the simple pleasures of the Christmas tree with deeper feelings of gratitude and trust.

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O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are green forever.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy beauty leaves thee never.
Thy leaves are green in summer’s prime,
Thy leaves are green at Christmas time.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are green forever.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
For every year the Christmas tree,
Brings to us all both joy and glee.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
Thou dost proclaim the Savior’s birth,
Good will to men and peace on earth.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou has a wondrous message:
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou has a wondrous message:
Thou dost proclaim the Savior’s birth
Good will to men and peace on earth.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou has a wondrous message:

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
O evergreen unchanging.
A symbol of good will and love,
You’ll ever be unchanging.
Each shining light, each silver bell,
No other sight spreads cheer so well.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
You’ll ever be unchanging.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!

Credits

Unknown writer is the traditional attribution for this beloved Christmas poem, which originates as an English translation of the German carol "O Tannenbaum." The German text dates back to a 1824 poem by Ernst Anschütz, though the melody itself is even older, and the carol has since been translated and adapted across many languages and cultures worldwide.