O Christmas Tree
(O Tannenbaum)

O Christmas Tree
(O Tannenbaum)

The Druids of early Britain revered the evergreen during winter as a symbol of enduring life. In ancient Rome, fir trees were decorated as part of the Saturnalia festivities of mid December. The practice was revived in medieval Germany. The German word Tannenbaum (fir tree) has generally been translated into English as "Christmas tree", inserting a Christian significance not present in the original. If desired, the phrase "Christmas tree" in this carol may be replaced with Tannenbaum.

Danish Candle-lit Yule Tree