O Christmas Tree has many different versions. Originally it was written in German where there were many variations dating as far back as 1550. The most well-known version was written in 1824 and uses a folk tune called Lauriger Horatius. The version below is but one of the many English versions of the song.
O Christmas Tree
Lyrics
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when ’tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There’s only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !”
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
NOTES: This is originally Welsh and assumed to come from the sixteenth century. It was originally titled Nos Galan [translation: New Year's Eve].
Come, buy my nice fresh ivy, and my holly sprigs so green.
I have the finest branches that ever yet were seen.
Come buy from me, good Christians, and let me home, I pray,
That God will bless your Christmas and a happy New Year’s Day.
Ah, won’t you buy my ivy? It’s the loveliest I’ve seen.
Ah, won’t you buy my holly? Oh you who love the green.
Do take a little branch of each, and on my knees I’ll pray
That God will bless your Christmas and a happy New Year’s Day.
Alternate Lyrics
Come, buy my nice fresh ivy, and my holly boughs so green.
I have the finest branches that ever yet were seen.
Come buy from me, good Christians, and let me home, I pray,
And I’ll wish you a merry Christmas time and a happy New Year’s Day.
Ah, won’t you take my ivy? It’s the loveliest ever seen.
Ah, won’t you have my holly boughs? All you who love the green.
Do take a bunch of each, and on my knees I’ll pray
That God will bless your Christmas and be with you a New Year’s Day.
