Did you know there are multiple versions of this old German Christmas carol? I think I like this one best:
O Christmas Tree
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 Christmas-time
Your form inspires my song and rhyme.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
What happiness befalls me
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson
That constant faith and hope sublime
Lend strength and comfort through all time.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson.
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 Christmas-time
Your form inspires my song and rhyme.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
What happiness befalls me
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson
That constant faith and hope sublime
Lend strength and comfort through all time.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson.
For most of the years my children lived at home we had a live tree. In the early years we would go to the woods and select a tree to cut and bring home. Once my ex and my brother-in-law went together to get both families a tree, while my sister and I stayed at her home with our very young children. When I returned home, I found a pine tree on the porch that was as tall as our roof. You can imagine that tree needed quite a trim to fit in our modest living room.
I still remember the protests the year I bought a tree from a tree lot for the first time. I was accused of ruining Christmas. After my divorce, we continued to buy real trees for a few years, but I wanted to be independent. I hated having to depend on my children for help buying the tree, getting it home, and later to helping me dispose of it. So, I bought my first artificial tree...much to the chagrin of my kids. It wasn't so bad. I bought a tall pretty one. But it was so heavy, I still had to ask for help.
This year I bought another artificial tree. It is skinnier. It doesn't weigh as much. But I still asked TJ to come help me get the ornaments down from the attic.
Hmmm, I think I will need a new one level house to solve that problem.
My everything on it tree.
I still remember the protests the year I bought a tree from a tree lot for the first time. I was accused of ruining Christmas. After my divorce, we continued to buy real trees for a few years, but I wanted to be independent. I hated having to depend on my children for help buying the tree, getting it home, and later to helping me dispose of it. So, I bought my first artificial tree...much to the chagrin of my kids. It wasn't so bad. I bought a tall pretty one. But it was so heavy, I still had to ask for help.
This year I bought another artificial tree. It is skinnier. It doesn't weigh as much. But I still asked TJ to come help me get the ornaments down from the attic.
Hmmm, I think I will need a new one level house to solve that problem.
My everything on it tree.
So pretty and so laden with decorations. I've never seen a tree more trimmed!
ReplyDeleteI like the tall, skinny look.
Your ornaments are absolutely beautiful! I'm an everything-on-it kind of girl, too!:)
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, that annual question: real, fake or potted tree? If one wants to go beyond personal preference and do something good for the environment, the better choice would be artificial tree. I soooo like your preference on this way, Steph! Being an environmentalist, I am used to have an articifial tree. Next year, I think to buy an aluminum (vintage/or new) one that looks sparkling and very bright:) Now you gave a life for a tree, that tree will grow for the next generations. *My applauses and appreciation going for you:)*
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you need help! Look at all those marvelous ornaments! Thanks for your comment on my new blog (my first comment!)
ReplyDeleteAfter our live tree fell over 3 times we bought an artificial one. I did splurge and get a very nice one..prelit...and people actually reach out and touch it to see if it's real. I love the fresh ones, but nothing beats the ease of the prelit kind...and you only have to pay for it once!
ReplyDeleteI love your heavily laden tree! Gorgeous! Merry Christmas, Stevie! xxoo
Merry Christmas...BTW....the tree looks great. Strider
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely post. You should draw your tree (I LOVE your drawings!).
ReplyDeleteWe've been using an artifical tree now for years. This one looks real AND is pre-lit. I love it! It's so trouble free.
Merry Christmas y'all. Have a very happy, safe holiday.
Sparky ♥ ∞
An absolutely beautiful tree!! I love all those ornaments.
ReplyDeleteMy beautiful card came today! I immediately recognized it being from you! How sweet! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful.. artistic.. and so you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
I went "artificial" about 8 years ago. Trees are already so dry when we buy them that I was always worried about fire. Your everything on it tree is beautiful! I found a little bird in my mailbox today! How beautiful, thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou really load your tree like I do! Love it!! :D
ReplyDeleteThe version I know is:
ReplyDeleteO, denneboom O, denneboom
Wat zijn je takken wonderschoon
(how beautiful are your branches)
Ik heb je laatst in 't bos zien staan, Toen zaten er nog geen kaarsjes aan (I saw you in the forest a while ago, there weren't any candles in them yet)
And that's about it! Repetition of the first verse...
I like the extenden German and English versions better, I didn't even know there were so many!