PagineO Christmas Tree is a 1824 Christmas song that begins “O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How steadfast are your branches!…”. Below are the full public-domain lyrics to print and sing, links to free sheet music, its history and fun actions for kids.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer’s clime
And through the snows of wintertime.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
What happiness befalls me
When oft at joyous Christmastime
Your form inspires my song and rhyme.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
What happiness befalls me!
O Christmas Tree · words: Ernst Anschütz (German, “O Tannenbaum”); traditional English translation · music: Traditional German folk tune · public domain · printed from pagineapp.com
Full piano and choir arrangements of O Christmas Tree are free because the song is in the public domain. Download them from these non-profit libraries:
O Christmas Tree comes from the German song “O Tannenbaum”, whose best-known words were written by Ernst Anschütz in 1824. It praises the evergreen fir that stays green all winter.
Make a tree shape with your arms; wiggle your fingers like twinkling lights.
All Christmas carols & songs → · Christmas stories for kids →
The words are by Ernst Anschütz (German, “O Tannenbaum”); traditional English translation and the music is a traditional german folk tune; it dates from 1824.
Yes. O Christmas Tree is in the public domain, so the lyrics on this page are free to print and sing at home, school or church.
O Christmas Tree is a good fit for children aged 3+. Try the actions on this page to keep little ones singing along.
🗓️ Updated October 2026