This is the one carol that I learned in high school German. The tradition of decorating with greens at the winter solstice has persisted from ancient times and was tolerated by the Christian church. Many Germans believe that Martin Luther invented the Christmas tree but the custom probably originated in the Rhineland as a symbolic descendant of the Tree of Life in the medieval mystery plays. The custom spread throughout Germany in the eighteenth century and was introduced to England by Victoria's consort Prince Albert in 1841. It eventually spread to America. The tune first appeared in print in Melodien zum Mildheimischen Liederbuche in 1799. It is included in The New Oxford Book of Carols (#181).