5 popular English Christmas songs and their lyrics in German

There might be plenty of famous German Christmas carols, but that hasn’t stopped the country from translating some other popular Christmas songs into German as well! Here are some songs you might hear in Germany over the holidays, with their lyrics in both English and German. 

Christmas song lyrics in English and German

Ready to sing yourself into a festive mood this yuletide? Here are the English and German lyrics to some Christmas songs that made the leap to Germany.

1. Frosty the Snowman lyrics

Originally penned by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson, and recorded by the singing cowboy Gene Autry and the Cass Country Boys in 1950, Frosty the Snowman was written as a follow-up to the success of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, also recorded by Autry. 

Frosty the Snowman has since been a hit for numerous artists, including Jimmy Durante, Nat King Cole and even The Jackson 5. 

Frosty the Snowman (Frosty der Schneeman): English lyrics

Frosty the Snowman’s lyrics tell of a snowman who is brought to life by a magical silk hat placed on his head by a group of children. Although generally known as a Christmas song, the English lyrics make no mention of the holiday. However, some later renditions change one of the final lines so that Frosty promises to come back for Christmas. 

Frosty the Snowman 
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal.

Frosty the Snowman 
Is a fairy tale, they say
He was made of snow but the children
Know how he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic 
In that old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around.

Oh, Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play 
Just the same as you and me.

Frosty the Snowman 
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said, “Let’s run and we’ll have some fun
Now before I melt away.”

Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all
Around the square saying
“Catch me if you can.”

He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop.
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler “Stop!”

For Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye saying
“Don’t you cry,
I’ll be back again some day.”

Thumpity thump thump
Thumpity thump thump
Look at Frosty go.

Thumpity thump thump
Thumpity thump thump
Over the hills of snow.

Video: YouTube / Gene Autry

Frosty the Snowman (Frosty der Schneeman): German lyrics

The German rendition of Frosty the Snowman was written by the jazz musician Götz Alsmann, a performer well-known for his interpretations of non-German music. Although not a word-for-word direct translation, the German lyrics follow the same gist: 

Frosty der Schneemann
War ein fröhlicher Gesell
Seine Augen waren kohlenschwarz
Und die Nase möhrenhell

Frosty der Schneemann
Mit Kartoffelknöpfen dran
War er mehr als nur eine Schneefigur
Ein Freund für jedermann

Vielleicht lag’s am Zylinderhut
Der schon lang im Keller lag
Kaum setzen sie ihn Frosty auf
Tanzt er den ganzen Tag

Frosty der Schneemann
Wie ein Wunder sah das aus
Und die Kinder lachten über ihn
Auf dem ganzen Weg nach Haus

Frosty der Schneemann
Winkt mit seinem Besenarm
Kinder los, rief er
Bevor ich schmelz’
Denn dieser Tag wird warm

Frosty der Schneemann
Wollte Spaß so lang es ging
Und er lachte, und er hüpfte und
er sprang herum
So dass nicht ein Kind ihn fing

Er rannte bis zum Rathausplatz
Da war gar nichts dabei
Nur einmal kriegt er einen
riesengroßen Schreck
Oh oh, die Polizei!

Frosty der Schneemann
Hatte leider nicht viel Glück
Denn es wurde warm und er zerfloss
Doch ich weiß er kommt zurück. 

Video: YouTube / Jazzschlager

2. White Christmas lyrics

White Christmas is another international holiday hit that has a German version! The original song was written by Irving Berlin for the musical film Holiday Inn, which was released in 1942. Since then, the song has been covered multiple times - by artists as varied as Michael Bublé and the cast of Glee to Gwen Stefani and Meghan Trainor - but most famously by Bing Crosby, whose version is the best-selling single of all time. 

White Christmas (Weiße Weihnacht): English lyrics

The song is notable for being a commercially successful secular Christmas record, with themes of home and nostalgia, that resonated particularly during the Second World War, and have shaped public perceptions of Christmas and Christmas music ever since. 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Video: YouTube / TransLucenT3D

White Christmas (Weiße Weihnacht): German lyrics

Although Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is still one of the most popular Christmas songs in Germany to this day, there is a 1953 version of the song with German lyrics, recorded by Bruno Balz. This version has also been covered by many other artists, including Zarah Leander, Peter Alexander and the Tölz Boys' Choir.

In contrast to the English version, the German lyrics are more ostensibly religious, featuring mentions of angels, candles and Christmas bells. 

Süß singt der Engel Chor Weihnacht
Und draussen rieselt leis’ der Schnee
Festlich strahlen Kerzen in allen Herzen
Vergeh’n Kummer heut’ und Weh

Süß singt der Glocken Ton Weihnacht
Das Fest der Liebe ist nun da
Und ein einz’ger Wunsch stellt sich ein
Möcht’s auf Erden Frieden immer sein

Festlich strahlen Kerzen in allen Herzen
Vergeh’n Kummer heut’ und Weh
Süß singt der Glocken Ton Weihnacht
Das Fest der Liebe ist nun da

Und ein einz’ger Wunsch stellt sich ein
Möcht’s auf Erden Frieden immer sein

Video: YouTube / Rudi Polt

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer lyrics

Another classic hit made popular by Gene Autry, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was originally written in 1949 by songwriter Johnny Marks, inspired by the titular character of the children’s story from 1939. It has been covered by numerous other artists, including Bing Crosby, Spike Jones and his City Slickers, The Cadillacs, the Temptations, and even Alvin and the Chipmunks. 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rudolph, das kleine Rentier): English lyrics

The original English lyrics for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tell the story of the ninth and youngest of Santa’s reindeer. Although initially mocked for his luminous red nose, Rudolph eventually wins the respect of his fellow reindeer when he leads the team and guides Santa’s sleigh through some tough weather on Christmas Eve. 

You know Dasher and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen,
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
“Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee:
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
You’ll go down in history!” 

Video: YouTube / GeneAutryVEVO

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rudolph, das kleine Rentier): German lyrics

There are several different versions of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in German, which follow the English lyrics to a greater or lesser degree. This version, from the 1964 stop-motion TV film, sticks most closely to the original: 

Rudolph, das kleine Rentier
mit der leuchtend roten Nas’
konnte man von weitem sehen,
die anderen hatten ihren Spaß.

Alle in der Rentierherde
lachten über ihn ganz fies
gaben ihm gemeine Namen
und keiner ihn mitspielen ließ.

Neblig wars zur Weihnachtszeit,
als Niklaus kam und sprach:
Hey, Blinkernase gib mal acht!
Du führst den Schlitten heute nacht.

Seit diesem Tag war Rudi
im Rentierland der Superstar,
jeder wollte jetzt sein Freund sein,
die Nase fand man wunderbar.

Video: YouTube / weissagnieschka

4. Jingle Bells lyrics

Originally published by James Lord Pierpoint under the title, “The One Horse Open Sleigh” in 1857, Jingle Bells started its life as a choir or drinking song. It only later became connected to Christmas. Since it’s one of the most famous Christmas songs of all time, it shouldn’t surprise you that Jingle Bells has been translated into German. 

Jingle Bells (Ein Kleiner Weißer Schneemann): English lyrics

The original 1857 version of Jingle Bells featured a different tune and lyrics to the version most people know today. It’s also much longer, with several verses depicting youthful fun dashing around in a sleigh. 

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way

Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon, Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side.
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot.

A day or two ago
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow
And on my back I fell.
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed as there I sprawling lie
But quickly drove away.

Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight
And sing this sleighing song.
Just get a bobtailed bay
Two forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! You'll take the lead.

Video: YouTube / DancingSpirit88

Jingle Bells (Ein Kleiner Weißer Schneemann): German lyrics

There are several different versions of Jingle Bells in German, but probably the most famous is Roy Black’s rendition from 1968. However, while this version uses the same melody, the lyrics are quite different. Called “A Little White Snowman”, it tells the story of a snowman who invites the narrator on a sleigh ride through the forest. 

Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann
der steht vor meiner Tür
ein kleiner weißer Schneemann
der stand gestern noch nicht hier
und neben dran der Schlitten
der lädt uns beide ein
zur aller ersten Schlittenfahrt
ns Märchenland hinein.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
klingt es weit und breit.
Schön ist eine Schlittenfahrt
im Winter wenn es schneit.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
klingt es weit und breit.
Mach' mit mir
'ne Schneeballschlacht
der Winter steht bereit!

Er kam auf leisen Sohlen
ganz über Nacht
hat heimlich und verstohlen
den ersten Schnee gebracht.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
klingt es weit und breit.
Hell erstrahlt die ganze Welt
im weißen, weißen Kleid.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
klingt es weit und breit.
Christkind geht durch
den Winterwald
denn bald ist Weihnachtszeit.

Video: YouTube / Roy Black - Topic

5. All I Want for Christmas Is You lyrics

Let’s end on a modern classic. Mariah Carey’s international hit was first released in 1994 and is an upbeat love song complete with chimes, bells and a cheesy Christmas video. It continues to be a Christmas favourite to this day and has been covered by multiple artists, including Justin Bieber, the Glee cast and Michael Bublé. 

All I Want for Christmas Is You: English lyrics

All I Want for Christmas Is You is a love song that describes the singer not caring about the usual commercial aspects of the season, so long as they get to see their lover. The original version is one of the most-played songs in Germany at Christmas time every year: 

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you.

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
Don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree.

I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day.

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby.

Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe.

I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click.

'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby.

Oh, all the lights are shining so brightly everywhere 
And the sound of children's laughter fills the air 
And everyone is singing 
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need? 
Won't you please bring my baby to me?

Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just wanna see my baby
Standing right outside my door.

Oh, I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby.

Video: YouTube / Mariah Carey

All I Want for Christmas Is You: German lyrics

There hasn’t been an “official” cover of All I Want For Christmas Is You in German, but in 2016 a group called Gold im Mund released a YouTube video of their own version with the lyrics translated into German:

Ich will nichts zu Weihnachten,
Nur das eine wünsch' ich mir
Und es interessiert mich nicht
Was unter der Tanne liegt
Will dich nur für mich allein'
Nur du allein', du sollst es sein
Wünsche werden wahr!
Sei einfach in Weihnachten da!
Ohhh, baby!

Will nicht viel zu Weihnachten
Nur das eine wünsch' ich mir
Und es interessiert mich nicht
Was unter der Tanne liegt!

Häng' auch keine Socken auf
Für den netten Santa Claus
Obwohl ich dieses Jahr
Wirklich einmal artig war

Will dich nur für mich allein'
Nur du allein', du sollst es sein
Wünsche werden wahr!
Sei einfach an Weihnachten da!
Ohhh, baby!

Siehst du die Kerzenlichter?
Mir wird so warm ums Herz!
Fröhliche Kinderstimme
Trägen zu uns her!
Lass uns zusammen singen
Hörst du die Glöckchen klingeln?
Bitte bring mein Schatz jetzt zu mir!
Er ist wahnsinnig wirklich viel!

Ich will nichts zu Weihnachten
Nur das eine wünsch' ich mir
Das mein Schatzi bei mir ist
Und mich einfach auf die Wange küsst

Will dich nur für mich allein'
Nur du allein', du sollst es sein
Träume werden wahr!
Sei einfach an Weihnachten da!

Ohh, baby!
Ohh, sei einfach
Ohh, sei einfach
Ohh, sei einfach an Weihnachten...

Dudududu dop dup dup do
Sei einfach,
Sei einfach da!
Oh-oh-oh
Sei einfach an Weihnachten daaaa!

Du bist da...

Video: YouTube / RAYLA

​​​​​Sing your favourite Christmas songs in English and German

So, there you have it - the words to all your favourite Christmas songs in German and English! Get ready to impress your friends at your next Christmas party.