German Way of Life presented this piece recently and therefore, thanks to their green light, it is being shared here in this article. It’s very popular here in the German-speaking countries but rare to find in America.
This popular German carol is unusual in several ways. First, unlike most carols, it has a true (six-line) refrain that is sung at the beginning and repeated after each of the song’s three verses. Second, despite being a German carol, the earliest known appearance in print was in the USA (in German) in 1882, when Heinrich Liebhart published “Liederbuch Liederlust und Psalter” for use in Methodist Sunday schools in Cincinnati, Ohio. Liebhart attributed the song’s origins to England (“aus England”), which is odd, as there is no known English version of the carol. Some have attributed August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben as the author of the German version, but this carol has never been found in any of his works.
“FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHT ÜBERALL”
(“Merry Christmas to One and All!”)
Music/Lyrics: Volksweise (Traditional) – Late 19th century
REFRAIN
“Fröhliche Weihnacht überall!”
tönet durch die Lüfte froher Schall.
Weihnachtston, Weihnachtsbaum,
Weihnachtsduft in jedem Raum!
“Fröhliche Weihnacht überall!”
Tönet durch die Lüfte froher Schall.
1
Darum alle
stimmet ein in den Jubelton,
Denn es kommt das Licht der Welt
von des Vaters Thron.
[Refrain] “Fröhliche Weihnacht…”
2
Licht auf dunklem Wege,
unser Licht bist du;
denn du führst, die dir vertrau’n,
ein zu sel’ger Ruh’.
[Refrain]
3
Was wir ander’n taten,
sei getan für dich,
dass bekennen jeder muss,
Christkind kam für mich.
[Refrain]
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“MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!”
English prose translation
REFRAIN
“Merry Christmas to one and all!”
resounds joyfully through the air
Christmas sound, Christmas tree
Christmas scent in every room!
“Merry Christmas to one and all!”
resounds joyfully through the air.
1
Thus all
Join in the joyous sound
For the Light of the World comes
From the Father’s throne.
[Refrain] “Merry Christmas…”
2
Light on the dark path,
our light art Thou;
for Thou guidest the faithful
to blessed peace.
[Refrain]
3
What we did for others
is done for Thee.
Each must profess
the Christ Child came for me.
[Refrain]
ABOUT THIS CAROL
Very little is known about the true origins of this carol. Although it was known in Germany by 1885, the first real documentation of “Fröhliche Weihnacht überall!” found in Germany is dated 14 years after its publication in the USA. The Magdeburg organist and composer Rudolph Palme (1834-1909) published a version of the song in “Christnacht und Weihnachten” (Opus 64) in 1896. But it was not until the early 20th century that “Fröhliche Weihnacht überall!” was found in many German school songbooks. As a result, the carol had become a Christmas standard in Germany by the second half of the 20th century.
In the 21st century many popular music artists, including Peter Alexander, Helene Fischer, and Patrick Lindner, have recorded their own versions of the carol. Its popularity stems in part from the carol’s joyous, upbeat rhythm and melody. Most religious carols in German tend to sound more somber and reverential. “Fröhliche Weihnacht überall!” is more like the American “Frosty the Snowman”, “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” or other catchy secular Christmas songs. (Source: Adapted from the German by Tom Borg at lieder-archiv_de)
VIDEO (YouTube): “Fröhliche Weihnacht überall!” sung by Helene Fischer
Link: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=FogVyl1Imnc
Note: The lyrics sung in this video vary slightly from the lyrics above (first verse), which are the 1882 original words. However, the refrain is identical. Modern versions may alter the lyrics, since there is no copyrighted version.
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We have one Christmas song that is similar to the one presented here but in a pop version. We will present this one at Christmas. But for now, enjoy this piece and have a nice holiday season.
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THE FLENSBURG FILES 