O, Christmas Tree

The decorated fir tree was first introduced in Germany about the time of Martin Luther.  The German words "O Tannenbaum" were set to a tune which may be one of the oldest tunes in existence.  A tannenbaum is a fir tree.  It was so well known and loved in America that the tune was used during the Civil War as "Maryland, My Maryland." The modern lyrics were written in 1824, by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz.  The lyrics do not actually refer to Christmas, or describe a decorated Christmas tree. Instead, they refer to the fir's evergreen qualities as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness.

Away In a Manger

This simple hymn first published in the late 1800s and beloved by children everywhere, is often called "Luther's Cradle Hymn".  Some say Luther did not write it, but that some artist imagined he would choose this type of song to sing his own child to sleep.  It is now thought to be of American origin.  Regardless, it is one of our favourite Christmas songs.  The two most-common musical settings are by William J. Kirkpatrick (1895) and James Ramsey Murray (1887). Researchers have not yet confirmed the original lyricist(s).