An American Carol in German and English
This popular American Christmas song was written by Irving Berlin (Israel Beilin, 1888-1989), probably in California in 1940. “White Christmas” was first heard publicly in December 1941 on Bing Crosby’s NBC radio show “Kraft Music Hall.” The song was later featured in the 1942 film Holiday Inn starring Crosby and Fred Astaire, earning Irving Berlin an Academy Award for “Best Song.” It was used again over a decade later in the 1954 Technicolor film White Christmas. It has now become an international Christmas classic.
A semi-white Christmas in Augsburg, Germany. PHOTO: Eddie Hiatt
During the Christmas season in Germany, you’re more likely to hear the English lyrics sung by Bing Crosby than any German version, although the 1953 German lyrics by Bruno Balz (1902-1988) are quite good. The German version (“Weiße Weihnacht”) has been recorded by many artists including Zarah Leander, Mireille Mathieu, Peter Alexander, the Tölzer Knabenchor (boys choir), Julio Iglesias, and others. See the German lyrics and a literal English translation below.
“White Christmas” – The Original English
Words and Music: Irving Berlin, 1941
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write:
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
See the German version by Bruno Balz below, with a literal English translation.
Also see a video of the German version below.
“Weiße Weihnacht (Süß singt der Engel Chor: Weihnacht)”“White Christmas” |
|
| Deutsch (German) | English |
|---|---|
| Text: Bruno Balz, 1953 | Literal English translation – HF |
| Süß singt der Engel Chor Weihnacht Und draussen rieselt leis’ der Schnee Festlich strahlen Kerzen in allen Herzen Vergeh’n Kummer heut’ und Weh |
Sweetly sings the angel choir Christmas And outside the snow falls softly Festively glow candles in all hearts Worry and woe vanish today |
| Süß singt der Glocken Ton Weihnacht Das Fest der Liebe ist nun da Und ein einz’ger Wunsch stellt sich ein Möcht’s auf Erden Frieden immer sein |
Sweetly sing the bells Christmas The festival of love is now here And a single wish arises May there always be peace on earth |
| Festlich strahlen Kerzen in allen Herzen Vergeh’n Kummer heut’ und Weh Süß singt der Glocken Ton Weihnacht Das Fest der Liebe ist nun da |
Festively glow candles in all hearts Worry and woe vanish today Sweetly sing the bells Christmas The festival of love is now here |
| Und ein einz’ger Wunsch stellt sich ein Möcht’s auf Erden Frieden immer sein |
And a single wish arises May there always be peace on earth |
| BACK > German Christmas Carol Lyrics | |
VIDEO: Zarah Leander “Weiße Weihnacht” 1953
More | German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
Related Pages
AT THE GERMAN WAY
- German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
- Advent and Christmas – The “arrival”
- Advent Calendar – An online calendar with daily Christmas facts starting on December 1
- Christmas from A to Z – German Christmas traditions and terms
- 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
- Silent Night (Stille Nacht) – Our “Silent Night” page has the true story and related links.
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