A free piano arrangement of O Christmas Tree, designed for beginner and intermediate pianists. This O Christmas Tree sheet music is FREE to download in PDF form (with multiple keys to choose from!)
Keep reading for the history and practice tips, or scroll down for the sheet music download buttons.
History Of O Christmas Tree
I just love Christmas trees, don’t you?
My family has always gotten a fresh tree. The smell is just lovely. Decorating the tree is a tradition I cherish.
The song “O Christmas Tree” reminds us of this great tradition.
BUT…I was surprised to learn that the song actually was not originally intended to be a Christmas song!
O Christmas Tree was written in Germany way back in the 1500’s. Melchior Franck wrote it about fir trees.
It wasn’t until the 1800’s that the song became popular, when Ernst Anschütz wrote a new version of lyrics.
Even still, the song had more to do with trees than it did with Christmas. The journey of becoming a Christmas carol had to do with Christmas trees becoming a tradition in the first place.
The whole story is quite interesting; you can read more about it here.
How do you play o christmas tree on piano?
O Christmas tree can be played SO many ways on the piano—from super simple, to totally jazzed up.
We’ll focus on the simple versions today!
In the PDF section, you will find 2 different arrangements:
A beginner version that has melody in the right hand, and simple notes in the left hand…
And an easy version that also has melody in the right hand, but fuller chords in the left hand.
The Key
Typically, you will find sheet music for O Christmas tree in the key of F major. F has just 1 flat, but it is not generally the key you start out with as a beginner.
For this reason, I have provided PDFs in 2 keys: F major and G major. G major is just a bit more beginner friendly.
You can choose whichever one you’re more comfortable with!
The Notes
The notes in O Christmas Tree are based off of the scale of the key.
If you choose the version in F major, you’ll need to know the notes of the F scale: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, and E. There are no accidentals in the song so that’s it!
If you choose the version in G major, you’ll need to know the notes of the G scale: G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#.
The Chords
O Christmas tree uses VERY simple chords! Of course, the chords will also depend upon the key you choose.
For the F major version, you’ll need to know these chords: F major, C7, and D minor.
For the G major version, you’ll need to know these chords: G major, D7, and E minor. Not too bad, right?
Extra Tips For Playing O Christmas Tree
If you want this song to sound the best it possibly can to play for family this year, follow these tips!
- Like my other Christmas carol arrangements, the right hand always has the melody. Make sure it is louder than your left hand! You don’t ever want the left hand to sound like it is “banging.”
- For most of the song, your right hand should also be connected as you play (legato). The only exception to this is the repeated notes. These can be more staccato if needed!
- Make sure to use your wrist and arm as you play this song. Piano should never be all fingers. It should never sound like pounding. O Christmas Tree should be fun and upbeat, so let your whole body engage as you play!
More Christmas Sheet Music:
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas Sheet Music
- Deck the Halls Sheet Music
- Carol of the Bells Sheet Music
- The First Noel Sheet Music
- Away in a Manger Sheet Music
O Christmas Tree Sheet Music Free Downloads
Without further ado, let’s get to the PDF sheet music O Christmas Tree!
Beginner Version
For the first download, I made sheet music designed for very new pianists.
The left hand is not even full chords, but rather some thirds and some single notes. The right hand is just simple melody.
Whether you play it in F major or G major is up to you. If you’re brand new to piano, G major may be a bit easier.
Easy Version
Next up, we have a version that is still pretty easy, but uses full chords rather than single notes.
The right hand is the same as the beginner version, but the left hand sounds fuller.
For most of the piece, the left hand will play block chords of F or G major (depending on the key you choose) and C7 or D7.
However, there is one little part where the left hand does single notes that are in contrary motion from the right hand.
This section sounds really neat, but you may need to practice it alone to get to hang of it!
Advanced Jazz Version
If you are an intermediate or advanced pianist, you can go much further with O Christmas Tree chords and harmonies! Here is a tutorial on an advanced, jazzier version of the song:
My dad made this video—make sure to subscribe to his youtube channel for more tutorials!
Full Lyrics
Verse 1
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
Not only green in summer’s heat,
But also winter’s snow and sleet.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
Verse 2
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.
Each year you bring to us delight
With brightly shining Christmas light!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.
Verse 3
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty.
Your bright green leaves with festive cheer,
Give hope and strength throughout the year.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty.
Conclusion
O Christmas tree is a fun, happy song, perfect for the holidays. If you start practicing this song now, you can learn it in time to play for your family and friends! Check out these practice tips to learn it even faster.
And don’t forget to check out O Holy Night, Joy to the World, or O Come O Come Emmanuel next!