Christmas Carols in German and English
Weihnachtslieder:
Enjoy these Austrian, German, and American Christmas carols – with German and English 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.
A Christmas market in Berlin, Germany. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo
Song Lyrics: German Christmas Carols • Weihnachtslieder
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Lasst uns froh und munter sein”
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.
More on The German Way
The German Way Advent Calendar
Daily Christmas-in-Germany facts starting on Dec. 1
“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.
NEW! “O du fröhliche” (“O You Joyful”)
This popular German carol dates back to 1816. It was first a normal hymn deicated 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.
“Stille Nacht” (Mohr/Gruber) and “Silent Night” (Young)
German and English lyrics for “Silent Night,” first sung in Austria in 1818. With video.
NEW! “Still, still, still, weil’s Kindlein schlafen will”
German and English lyrics for this Austrian Christmas carol from the Salzburg region.
“Weiße Weihnacht” (“White Christmas”)
This Irving Berlin classic is also popular in German. Carol lyrics in German and English, plus video.
MORE LYRICS on the Way…
“Heidschi Bumbeidschi”
This traditional Austrian lullaby has become a popular Christmas tune in Germany ever since it was recorded by Heintje in 1967. Song lyrics in German and English.
“Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her” (“From Heaven Above”)
This German carol by Martin Luther dates from the 16th century. Song lyrics in German and English, plus a sing-along video.
MORE > Christmas Glossary – German-English (coming soon)
WEIHNACHTEN > Advent Calendar with German Christmas Facts (in season)
More German Christmas Carol Lyrics from About.com
From Hyde’s former German site at About.com
Christmas in Vienna DVD
A Gala Christmas in Vienna: This DVD of a Christmas concert performance at Vienna’s city hall features Plácido Domingo, Sarah Brightman, Helmut Lotti and Richard Cocciante (backed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra). Also available on audio CD.
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com
Buy the CD from Amazon.com
Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen (About.com)
German and English lyrics for this German Christmas carol – with midi sound.
Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann (About.com)
German and English lyrics for Roy Black’s German version of “Jingle Bells.” With midi audio.
Herbei, o ihr Gläubigen (About.com)
German and English lyrics for “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
Ihr Kinderlein kommet (About.com)
German and English lyrics for this popular German carol.
Jingle Bells – German (About.com)
German and English lyrics for Roy Black’s German version of “Jingle Bells” (“Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann”).
Mannheim Steamroller and German (About.com)
About the German Christmas carols on the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CDs.
Morgen, Kinder wird’s was geben (About.com)
German and English lyrics for this popular children’s carol.
Rudolph, das kleine Rentier (About.com)
German and English lyrics for this 1949 Christmas song about a red-nosed reindeer—with 3 German versions! With midi audio.
Zu Bethlehem geboren (About.com)
German and English lyrics for this traditional German carol about the Christ Child born in Bethlehem.
German Christmas carol lyrics from other sites
Liederschatz: Weihnachtslieder von Ronny Herbst
Non-Christmas German Song Lyrics from About.com
From Hyde’s former German site at About.com
German Popular Music
German and English lyrics for popular hits in German, from rap to rock – from the Beatles to Johnny Cash, from Falco to Udo Lindenberg.
German Children’s Songs
German and English lyrics for Austrian and German Kinderlieder and the German birthday song “Wie schön, dass du geboren bist.”
Die Prinzen
The enjoyable songs of the eastern German group “Die Prinzen” – with clever lyrics.
Rammstein Song Lyrics
German and English lyrics for Rammstein songs. Also see the main Rammstein page for background information about this controversial German heavy-metal band.
Related Pages
AT THE GERMAN WAY
- Silent Night (Stille Nacht) – The true story of “Silent Night” with related links.
- Christmas from A to Z – German Christmas traditions and terms
- Advent and Christmas – The “arrival”
- Advent Calendar with German Christmas Facts – Our special Advent calendar reveals a new Christmas fact each day from Dec. 1 to Christmas Eve.
- Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe – An overview of the top Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- Photo Gallery: Christmas in Germany – Berlin – A visual tour of Christmas markets and other December sights in Berlin
- Christmas in the USA and Germany – A comparison chart
- Holidays and Celebrations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
GERMAN ONLINE ADVENT CALENDARS
- German Advent Calendar – An audio Advent calendar from adventskalender.net that starts on Dec. 1
- Adventskalender – Heinrich Zille art – old-fashioned Berlin
- Adventskalender – Wegerle – 2016 and 2015 online calendars
- Adventskalender von Uli Stein – A German cartoonist’s view
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