PA German Dialect

Es Neinuhr Schtick

October 26, 2000

Ihr liewe Leit:

Wie mer nau wisse, sin die Ebbel schunn gemaahle un zu Seider gepresst. Un des meent mer keene aafange der Lattwarrick koche.

Do sin noch en paar Vaerscht aussem Grumbine seim Gedicht “ ‘S lattwarrick Koche”:

Un der Seider fange schunn lengscht aa koche,
Darrich deissich Yaahr hawwich’s widder geroche,
‘S Feier, was es gracht uffem Feierheerd,
Darrich dreissich Yaahr hawwich’s widder gheert.

Die yunge Leit all um der Disch rumsitze,
Un fleissich helfe die Ebbel zu schnitze,
Die Hausfraa riehrt sie in die kochick Brieh,
‘S kann’s nimmand mache so gut wie sie.

Datt schteht sie un riehrt middem lange Schtiehl,
Des geht wie’n Uhr odder en Musickgschpiel,
‘S muss gschtarrt un griehrt warre bis ans End,
Dass der Lattwarrick net an der Kessel brennt.

Yetz iss die Ebbelsupp faddich gekocht,
Un’s riehre un Schtarre watt zum Schluss gebrocht;
Fer’n guder Gschmack nimmt’s bissel Gwaerz,
Des macht der Lattwarrick nooch meim Haerz.

Die Alde sin mied un sie gehn noch der Ruh;
‘S yung Volk gebt sich der Freide zu;
Loss uns all mitmache, ich un du;
Denn Owet sin mer all widder yung.

Ach! die liewe Meed so hibsch un siess,
Un die yunge Kalls mit ihr lange Bee,
‘S watt ball ans Schpiele un Danse geh,
Dann gebt’s en hochbeenikchi Zeit!

Die Musick fangt aa, un der Fiddelboge
Watt heftich iwwer die Saide gzoge;
Wie gschwinnt iss doch der Owet gfloge
Wann mer danst am Lattwarrick Koche!

Runner kummt der Boge uff alle Sait;
“’S aerscht Paar rechts un rumgedreht!”
So leicht wie’n Gensfedder schwinge die Meed,
In de Buwe ihre Aerrem rum.

Dann “All rings rum!” Nemmt fescht an der Hand
Zum Schtaerricke die Yugends Freindschaftsband;
Henk der Riehrer un Kessel un die Harf an der Wand,
Gut Nacht! zum Lattwarrick Koche!

Macht’s gut,
Der Alt Professer

Dear people:

As we now know, the apples have already been mashed and pressed to cider. And that means that we can begin to cook the apple butter.

Here are a few more verses (stanzas) out of Grumbine’s poem “Cooking Applebutter”:

And the cider has already started cooking,
Through 30 years I have smelled it again,
The fire, how it cracks on the stove,
Through 30 years I have heard it again.

The young people all sit around the table,
And diligently help to cup up the apples,
The housewife stirs them into the boiling broth,
No one can do it as well as she.

There she stands and stirs with a long handle,
It goes round like a clock or a music box,
It must be poked and stirred to the very end,
So the apple butter doesn’t stick to the kettle,

Now the “apple soup” is finished cooking,
And the stirring and poking are brought to an end;
For a good taste it’ll take a little spice,
That makes the apple butter after my own heart.

The old folk are tired and go to bed;
The young folk start to have fun;
Let us all take part, I and you;
This evening we’ll all be young again.

Oh! the dear girls so pretty and sweet,
And the young fellows with their long legs,
They’ll soon start in to play and dance,
Then they’ll have a grand time!

The music begins and the fiddle bow
Is drawn powerfully over the strings;
How quickly the evening flew by
When you dance and cook apple butter!

Down comes the bow on all the strings;
“First couple to the right and turn around!”
As light as a goose feather swing the girls,
Around in the arms of the boys.

Then “All form a circle!” Take each other firmly by the hand
To strengthen the friendship bond of youth;
Hand the stirrer and kettle and the harp on the wall,
Good Night! to cooking apple butter!

Take care,
The Old Professor

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Ephrata, PA 19522

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updated 3-15-2007 paf