O Christmas Tree — Free Lead Sheet PDF (Eb, Bb, Concert)

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O Christmas Tree Lead Sheet

Pick your instrument’s key. Each PDF is free, no sign-up required — and this one is free to keep.

Eb For Alto & Baritone Sax

Alto saxophone, baritone saxophone

Download PDF Bb For Tenor Sax, Trumpet

Tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, trumpet, clarinet

Download PDF Concert For Piano, Guitar, Flute

Piano, guitar, flute, trombone, bass, vocals

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Traditional (German) · 1824 · Traditional Christmas carol · Melody & chords only

Not sure which to pick? Our interactive saxophone transposition chart can help. PDFs open in a new tab — right-click (or long-press on mobile) and choose “Save as” to download.

About O Christmas Tree

A German Folk Melody

O Christmas Tree, known in German as O Tannenbaum, is built on a German folk melody that predates its Christmas association — the tune appears in earlier songs about fidelity and constancy, drawing on the evergreen fir tree as a symbol that doesn't change with the seasons.

The now-standard lyrics celebrating the Christmas tree were written by the German organist and teacher Ernst Anschütz in 1824, adapting the older folk melody to a new, specifically festive text. Both the underlying tune and Anschütz's words are two centuries old, making this a free, permanent lead sheet download.

If you are also building a Christmas set, Silent Night is another free carol on this site worth pairing it with.

The Tune & Chords

A Steady Waltz with a Folk-Song Feel

The tune moves in a gentle, unhurried 3/4 waltz, with a simple, folk-song melodic shape that avoids any large leaps — an easy tune to harmonise in thirds or sixths for two horns, and comfortable at a relaxed tempo where the melody can be stated plainly without much rhythmic complication.

Verse (Concert, simplified) F – Bb – F – C7 – F

One simplified concert-pitch harmonisation — traditional carols were passed down as melodies, so chord choices vary between arrangers and songbooks.

Using This Lead Sheet

A Gentle Waltz for Background Sets

O Christmas Tree's relaxed waltz feel makes it a good fit for quieter background-music moments — a corporate reception or wine-bar gig where you want warmth and familiarity without pushing the tempo or energy up.

If you would like one-to-one guidance building a Christmas set or working on your reading and improvisation more generally, saxophone lessons in person in South East London or online are available. You can also browse the full Christmas lead sheet index for more free carols, including O Come, All Ye Faithful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is O Christmas Tree free to use, including at a gig? +

Yes. This lead sheet can be used freely at any performance, church service or jam session with no licensing concerns.

Where can I download the O Christmas Tree lead sheet for free? +

You can download the O Christmas Tree lead sheet free as a PDF from the downloads section at the top of this page in three transpositions: Eb for alto and baritone saxophone, Bb for tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, trumpet and clarinet, or Concert pitch for piano, guitar, flute, trombone and bass. No sign-up or email required, and this chart is free to keep, not a temporary download.

What is the history of O Christmas Tree? +

O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) is built on an older German folk melody about constancy and fidelity. The organist and teacher Ernst Anschütz adapted it into the now-familiar Christmas text in 1824.

Which transposition do I need for my instrument? +

Download the Concert pitch version if you play piano, guitar, flute, trombone or bass. Choose the Bb version for tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, trumpet or clarinet. Choose the Eb version for alto saxophone or baritone saxophone.

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SaxTeacher UK is a woodwind and piano teacher based in South East London. With 17 years of individual and group tuition experience. Get in touch for in-person or online lessons.

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O Christmas Tree — Free Lead Sheet PDF (Eb, Bb, Concert)

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