O Christmas Tree ✧
A gentle three-beat carol with a repeated opening and a higher middle phrase.
Sheet music
Tap a staff note or finger tab to hear it.
Opening · first time
Opening · second time
Middle and return
D whistle · G major · 3/4 · 110 BPM · + upper octave
Opening · first time
Opening · second time
Middle and return
Lyrics
August Zarnack and Ernst Anschütz · O Tannenbaum (1824)
The original German Christmas text. English translations vary.
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 mir was lehren; Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit Giebt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Dein Kleid will mir was lehren.
About this tune
O Christmas Tree is the English title commonly given to the German song O Tannenbaum. The evergreen tree is at the center of its seasonal imagery.
The opening phrase returns several times, giving the melody a reassuring familiarity. A higher middle passage adds contrast before the tune comes back to its opening idea.
Performances
Watch musicians play this tune on tin whistle. Keys and arrangements may differ from the tabs above.
O Christmas Tree — O Tannenbaum
BadWhistle
A solo rendition played on a Generation B-flat tin whistle.
Watch on YouTube — O Christmas Tree — O Tannenbaum by BadWhistle (opens in a new tab) ↗