German Christmas carols

Melodies, lyrics, & CDs of the most popular German carols
& the history of the German tradition

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Listen to & sing German Christmas carols

Alle jahre wieder [no javascript]
Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen [no javascript]
Ave Maria (Schubert) [no javascript]
Der Christbaum ist der schönste Baum [no javascript]
Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen [no javascript]
Fröhlich soll meine Herze springen [no javascript]
Ihr Kinderlein, kommet [no javascript]
Kling, Glöckchen, klinglelingeling [no javascript]
Kommt ihr Hirten [no javascript]
Leise rieselt der Schnee [no javascript]
Morgen, Kinder, wird's was geben [no javascript]
Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann [no javascript]
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland [no javascript]
Nun sei uns willkommen, Herre Christ [no javascript]
Nun singet und seid froh [no javascript]
O, du fröhliche [no javascript]
O, Tannenbaum [no javascript]
Schneeflöckchen, Weißglöckchen [no javascript]
Stille Nacht [no javascript]
Süsser die Glocken nie klingen [no javascript]

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A brief history of German Christmas carols

Dating back to medieval times, German Christmas carols have a long tradition. These early tunes normally integrated well-known folk melodies with lyrics written by local clergymen and they were sung in churches, often as choral dialogues, or performed in religious Christmas plays.

The oldest known song is "Nun sei uns willkommen, Herre Christ" from the 11th century. Some of the oldest German carols, such as "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland", and "Mein Geist erhebt den Herren mein" are translations of Latin Christmas hymns. These songs became part of Church rituals surrounding the observance of Christmas. As such, they were solemn and humble tributes of reverence to an almighty, powerful God.

Under the influence of the Reformation, the celebration of Christmas extended outside of the Church into the family domain. It was in the 19th century that many of the festive German carols known today arose. Older carols were adapted and modernized; new lyrics were supplied for familiar folk tunes. While the religious impulse behind the spirit of the celebration was not wholly abandoned, the tone of the new German Christmas carols was lighter and less ritualistic than the Church songs.

With the secularization of the Christmas holiday in the 20th century, German Christmas carols arose that had no connection with their religious origins. "Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann" is one such example.

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Buy German Christmas music CDs:

Weihnachten: A German Christmas More info - Buy LISTEN	Stille Nacht: A German Christmas More info - Buy LISTEN	Weihnachten in den Bergen More info - Buy
Leise rieselt der Schnee, by Udo Jürgens More info - Buy	Es werde Licht - meine Winter & Weihnachtslieder, by Udo Jürgens More info - Buy LISTEN	Ja, ja, wenn Weihnachten ist, by Die Prinzen More info - Buy
Schlittenfahrt mit Rudolf -- 25 Weihnachtslieder More info - Buy LISTEN	Weihnachten mit Nicole by Nicole More info - Buy LISTEN	Weihnachtshistorie, by Heinrich Schutz & Michael Praetorius More info - Buy LISTEN
Frohe Weihnachten mit den Wiener Sängerknaben Vienna Boys Choir More info - Buy LISTEN	Weihnachtsbaum / Via Crucis by Franz Liszt More info - Buy LISTEN	Weihnachts-Oratorium, by Johann Sebastian Bach More info - Buy LISTEN

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German Christmas traditions pages >>>
German Christmas foods & recipes pages >>>

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German Christmas foods & recipes:
Dresdner Stollen | Glühwein | Lebkuchen | Marzipan | Plätzchen | Pfeffernüsse
Vanillekipferl | Springerle | Spritzgebäck | Zimtsterne
German Christmas carols:
Lyrics & audio | Brief history of German Xmas music | German Xmas CDs
German Christmas traditions

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