German Christmas carols
Melodies, lyrics, & CDs of the most popular German carols
& the history of the German tradition
Lyrics & audio | Brief history of German Xmas music | German Xmas CDs & MP3s
German Christmas traditions | German Christmas foods & recipes
Listen to & sing German Christmas carols
Alle jahre wiederAm Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Der Christbaum ist der schönste Baum
Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen
Fröhlich soll meine Herze springen
Ihr Kinderlein, kommet
Kling, Glöckchen, klinglelingeling
Kommt ihr Hirten
Leise rieselt der Schnee
Morgen, Kinder, wird's was geben
Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Nun sei uns willkommen, Herre Christ
Nun singet und seid froh
O, du fröhliche
O, Tannenbaum
Schneeflöckchen, Weißglöckchen
Stille Nacht
Süsser die Glocken nie klingen
Lyrics & audio | Brief history of German Xmas music | German Xmas CDs & MP3s
German Christmas traditions | German Christmas foods & recipes
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.
Lyrics & audio | Brief history of German Xmas music | German Xmas CDs & MP3s
German Christmas traditions | German Christmas foods & recipes
Buy German Christmas music CDs or MP3s:
![]() Das Weihnachtsalbum 62 vintage German performances of traditional holiday music. Album or songs available as CD or MP3 download. More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Weihnachten: In der Weihnachtsbäckerei 10 Christmas songs for children, sung by the children's choir Hamburger Spatzen. More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() The Best of German Christmas Songs 96 German Christmas songs! Album or songs as MP3 downloads only. More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Weihnachten: A German Christmas MP3 download or CD More info - Buy Listen ![]() |
![]() Christmas in Vienna: Vienna Boys Choir. MP3 download or CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Beliebte Weihnachtslieder MP3 download or CD More info - Buy |
![]() Leise rieselt der Schnee, by Udo Jürgens MP3 download or CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Es werde Licht - meine Winter & Weihnachtslieder, by Udo Jürgens MP3 download or CD More info - Buy Listen ![]() |
![]() Ja, ja, wenn Weihnachten ist, by Die Prinzen MP3 download or CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Schlittenfahrt mit Rudolf -- 25 Weihnachtslieder Audio CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Weihnachten mit Nicole by Nicole Audio CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Weihnachtshistorie, by Heinrich Schutz & Michael Praetorius MP3 download or CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Frohe Weihnachten mit den Wiener Sängerknaben Vienna Boys Choir Audio CD More info - Buy |
![]() Weihnachtsbaum / Via Crucis by Franz Liszt Audio CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
![]() Weihnachts-Oratorium, by Johann Sebastian Bach MP3 download or CD More info - Buy LISTEN ![]() |
German Christmas traditions
pages >>>
German Christmas foods &
recipes pages >>>
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