What is a German Tannenbaum?
“O Tannenbaum” (German: [oː ˈtanənbaʊm]; “O fir tree”, English: O Christmas Tree) is a German Christmas song. Based on a traditional folk song which was unrelated to Christmas, it became associated with the traditional Christmas tree by the middle of the 19th century and sung as a Christmas carol.
What’s Christmas tree in German?
Tannenbaum
A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (die Tanne) or Christmas tree (der Weihnachtsbaum). Although most Christmas trees today are Fichten (spruce) rather than Tannen, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired musicians to write several “Tannenbaum” songs in German over the years.
What is the meaning behind the song Oh Christmas tree?
The lyrics lament an unfaithful maiden and refer to the fir tree as a true and faithful companion. Only later as the tradition of the Christmas Tree developed throughout the 19th Century the song became a holiday tradition with added verses referring to the decorated tree.
Who wrote Oh Christmas tree song?
Ernst Anschütz
O Christmas Tree/Composers
Why did Germany put Christmas trees up?
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.
How long do Germans keep their Christmas Tree up?
Traditionally, the German Christmas tree stays bare until Christmas Eve. The practice of bringing evergreen branches into your home dates back to pagan times but Christians in Germany first began bringing whole trees into their homes around the 16th century.
Who sang O Christmas tree?
Aretha Franklin
O Christmas Tree/Artists
Who sang the original O Christmas Tree?
Nat “King” Cole
O Tannenbaum/Artists
How did Germans originally decorate their Christmas trees?
Christmas Trees From Germany Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree.
How long do Germans keep their Christmas tree up?
Where did the song O Tannenbaum come from?
Although most Christmas trees today are Fichten (spruce) rather than Tannen, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired musicians to write several “Tannenbaum” songs in German over the years. The best known version (above) was penned in 1824 by a Leipzig organist named Ernst Anschütz. The melody is an old folk tune.
What kind of Christmas tree is a Tannenbaum?
It’s not quite what you’re probably familiar with. A Tannenbaum is a fir tree ( die Tanne) or Christmas tree ( der Weihnachtsbaum ). Although most Christmas trees today are spruce ( Fichten) rather than Tannen, the qualities of the evergreen have inspired musicians to write several Tannenbaum songs in German over the years.
Where was the Christmas carol O Tannenbaum written?
The popular Christmas carol “O Tannenbaum” was written in Germany in the mid-1500s. The original folk song has been rewritten many times over the centuries.