PA German Dialect

Es Neinuhr Schtick

10-09-03

Ihr Liewe Leit:

   Harbaugh, Fisher, Harter (Buhneschtiehl), Miller (Holsbock), Funk, Birmelin, Moll, un villeicht en paar meh-all Dichder ass ihr liewe Leser schunn efders in dem Kallem gelese hen, villeicht yuscht weil mer zimmlich leicht Bicher finne kann wu ihr Gedichde drin sin.

   Meent des ass der William Gerhardt net so gut in PD hot dichde kenne? Lest mol sei "Die Alt Familye Uhr":

Was schteht datt in der Schtubb im Eck
Un tickt so regler immer weck?
   Guck yuscht mol hie un seh.
Ei, gewiss, 's iss die Familye uhr!
Sie schteht schunn langi Zeit do, schur,
   Gans schtaatlich, doch allee-
      Die seem alt Uhr.

Ihr Gsicht iss noch so schee un rund,
Der Kaschde noch so pleen un gsund
   Wie Graendpaepp sie hot kaaft.
Un so kann sie noch aahrelang
Fattmache ihre regler Gang,
   So weit sie heit noch laaft,
     Die schee alt Uhr!

Schunn hunnert Yaahr hot sie die Zeit
Mit wunnerbaarer Richdichkeit
   In Schtunne abgedeelt.
Die Zoier hen ihr Rounds gemacht
Im helle Daag, in dunkler Nacht,
   Un's Gleckel hot's gwzeehlt.
     Die gut alt Uhr!

In Freeht un Leed, in Glick un Not,
In Wohlschtand, Aarmut un im Dot,
   In yedem Lewesschtand,
Heert mer wie glingt ihr Schtunneschlaag
Vun eens bis zwelfe, Daag fer Daag,
   Un's Ticke an der Wand.
     Die Lieb alt Uhr!

Die drei Uhr geht als fatt wie immer
Fer Eldre, Kinner un Kinskinner,
   Doch nimmi fer sie all.
Wie viel sin gange aus der Zeit
Datt niwwer in die Ewichkeit
   Seit ihrem aerschde Schall!
      Die dreialt Uhr!

Du liewi Uhr, dei Aagesicht
Vergess ich all mei Lewe nicht.
   Ich schetz dich gaar zu sehr…
Un wann ich aa en Uhrche seh-
Waer's noch so zierlich un so schee-
   Dich liewich doch noch mehr,
      Mei aldi Uhr!

    Ya, hett der Gerhardt mehner Gedichde gschriwwe, hett er gewiss sei eegnes Buch!

Macht's gut,
Der Alt Professer

Dear people:

   Harbaugh, Fisher, Harter (Boonastiel), Miller (Hulsbuck), Funk, Birmelin, Moll and perhaps a few others-all poets that you dear readers have often read in this column, perhaps only because one can rather easily find books wherein their poems can be found.

   Does that mean that William Gerhardt can't write his poetry so well in Pennsylvania German? Let's read his "The Old Family Clock":

What stands there in the corner of the room
And ticks so regularly away?
   Just take a look and see,
Yes, certainly, it is the family clock!
It's been standing there a long time, sure
   Very stately, but alone-
     The same old clock.

Its face is still so nice and round,
The case still plain and healthy
   As when Grandpa bought it.
And so still for years it can
Continue its regular pace
   As long as it runs like today,
     The beautiful old clock!

Already for a hundred years it has
With wonderful regularity
   Divided the hours.
The hands have made their rounds
In bright of day, in dark of night,
   And the little chime has counted them.
     The good old clock!

In joy and in sorrow, in happiness and want
In wealth, poverty and in death,
   In every position in life,
One hears how it chimes the hours
From one to twelve, day after day,
   And the ticking on the wall.
      The dear old clock!

The faithful clock continues as ever
For parents, children and grandchildren,
   But no longer for them all.
How may have gone from this time
Over there to eternity
   Since its first sound!
     The faithful old clock!

You dear clock, your visage
I will never forget my whole life long;
   I value you much too much.
And when I see a little clock-
It is yet so elegant and so beautiful-
   I still love you even more,
     My old clock!

   Yes, If Gerhardt had written more poetry, he would certainly have his own book!

Take care,
The Old Professor

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updated 3-15-2007 paf