German Christmas Carols

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Christmas Carols in German and English
Weihnachtslieder

Enjoy these Austrian, German, and American Christmas carols – with German and English (and some Latin) lyrics! Each carol has background information about its origins. For instance, the world’s most popular Christmas carol, “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”) came from Austria. Most Americans know the German classic “O Tannenbaum“ (“O Christmas Tree”), but few know that there are several different versions with that name. There are also many other beautiful German carols that few non-Germans know. Below you can discover many of them, some with video.

CD - Die schönsten Weihnachtslieder

CD: “Die schönsten Weihnachtslieder” (“The Most Beautiful [German] Christmas Carols”)
PHOTO: Amazon.com (German Christmas Music)

In addition to our German-English carol lyrics we’ve now added: Christmas Vocabulary: German-English Glossary (also English-German). And there’s more:

Printable
All of our German Way Christmas carol lyrics are now printable, with lyrics in German and English. Just click on the “Print” button at the top of any carol page (or any page at our site).

Lyrics in German and English:
German Christmas Carols • Weihnachtslieder

“Adeste fideles” (“O Come, All ye Faithful”)
This traditional carol began life in Latin. Later it was translated into English, French, and German. In German it is known as “Herbei, O ihr Gläubigen.” Lyrics in Latin, German, and English.

“Alle Jahre wieder” (“Every Year Again”)
This traditional German carol was composed by the court chaplain of Gotha, Wilhelm Hey, in 1837. Lyrics in German and English.

NEW! “Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen” (“On the Christmas Tree the Lights Are Burning”)
This popular German Christmas carol was first published in 1841 with lyrics by Hermann Kletke (1813-1886). Lyrics in German and English. With video.

“Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” (“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”)
This traditional German Christmas hymn first appeared in print in 1599. The most popular English version is entitled “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” by Theodore Baker. Lyrics in German and English. With video.

“Es wird scho glei dumpa” (“It will soon be dark”)
This Christmas lullaby comes from Austria. Lyrics in dialect, standard German and English – with video.

“Fröhliche Weihnacht überall” (“Merry Christmas One and All”)
This popular German carol dates back to the 19th century, but its origins are shrouded in mystery. The first known printed version appeared in the USA in 1882 – in German. Lyrics in German and English. With video.

“Frosty, der Schneemann” (“Frosty, the Snowman”)
First recorded in English by the singing cowboy Gene Autry in 1950, “Frosty” was also written and performed in German more recently by German jazz musician Götz Alsmann. With German lyrics and video!

“In dulci jubilo” (“Good Christian Men, Rejoice”)
This traditional German carol dates from the 14th century. The best known English version is “Good Christian Men, Rejoice.” Song lyrics in German/Latin and English. Also see the Protestant German version.

“Heidschi Bumbeidschi” by Heintje
This plaintive lullaby from Bohemia/Austria (ca. 1819) is technically not a Christmas song, but it has become a part of the German Christmas tradition ever since Heintje turned it into a classic the 1960s. With video and a brief Heintje bio.

“Kling, Glöckchen” (“Ring, Little Bell”)
This popular German children’s Christmas carol dates from the 19th century. Song lyrics in German and English – with video.

“Kommet, ihr Hirten” (“Come, ye Shepherds”)
This popular German Christmas carol (1870) comes originally from a Czech carol, “Nesem vám noviny” (We bring you news). Song lyrics in German and English – with video.

“Lasst uns froh und munter sein” (“Let us be happy and lively”)
German and English lyrics for this traditional German St. Nicholas Christmas song, usually sung leading up to Nicholas Eve on Dec. 5 – with video.

“Leise rieselt der Schnee” (“Softly Falls the Snow”)
This popular carol, with words by Eduard Ebel, dates back to 1895. Lyrics in German and English – with video.

“Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann” (“Tomorrow Santa’s Coming”)
This traditional German carol dates back to 1837. The words were written by the same poet whose lyrics are heard in the German national anthem. Carol lyrics in German and English. With video.

“O du fröhliche” (“O You Joyful”)
This popular German carol dates back to 1816. It was first a normal hymn dedicated to three Christian festivals, but was later revised to be a Christmas carol. Lyrics in German and English. With video.

“O Tannenbaum” and “O Christmas Tree”
There are several versions – in German and English – of this well-known Christmas carol. Lyrics in German and English. Also see the English version.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
German and English lyrics for this popular song of the Christmas season. With videos in German (“Rudolph, das kleine Rentier”).

“Stille Nacht” (Mohr/Gruber) and “Silent Night” (Young)
German and English lyrics for “Silent Night,” first sung in Austria in 1818. With video.

“Still, still, still, weil’s Kindlein schlafen will”
German and English lyrics for this Austrian Christmas carol from the Salzburg region.

“Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her”
This carol dates back to Martin Luther, who created both the words and the music. In 1855, Catherine Winkworth translated Luther’s lyrics as “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”, which was later added to the Lutheran Hymnal (1941). With video.

“Weiße Weihnacht” (“White Christmas”)
This Irving Berlin classic is also popular in German. Carol lyrics in German and English, plus video.

MORE > Christmas Vocabulary: German-English Glossary

Cologne

The Christmas market next to Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). PHOTO: Chris Hinz McGinnis

MUSIC: German Christmas Music from Amazon.com

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