Ihr liewe Leit:
Letscht Woch hen mer gsehne ass es Watt
"Grischtkindel" wattlich Yesus Grischdus meene
kann. Wann mer die Maria, der Joseph ihre Mann,
un's Grischtkindel zamme finne, dann muss es so
sei.
Un dann hen mer gsehne ass es aa en Grischt-
daags Gschenk sei kann. Waer deet zweifle ass der
Buhneschtiel un der Salli Holsbock ihre
Mudderschprooch wisse!
Awwer mer misse nadierlich aa zugewwe ass
Der "Vadder un der PD Lidderadur" der Henry
Harbaugh (1817-1867) aa sei Mudderschprooch
kennt. Do sin Vaerscht aus seim Gedicht "Das
Grischtkindel":
"O du liewer Kindheeds-Grischtdaag!
Lebscht hoch wackrich in meim Hatz;
Denk ich an dich, was en Pulsschlaag
Fiehl ich, was en Heemweh-Schmatz!
Dunkle Wolke sehn ich henke
Zwische mir un seller Zeit;
Du scheinscht awwer in meim Denke.
Beschdes Licht der Kindheeds-Freid.
Ya, ich sehn der Grischtbaam funkle,
Schmunsle an der Schtuwewand;
Was en Licht waar sell im Dunkle,
Himmel schee in Erdeland.
Wer kann zehle die Gschenke,
Niss un Zucker allerlei!
Muss mer schtaune, muss mer denke,
Wer schafft all die Sache bei!
Des waar schuur des gut Grischtkindel
Er hot alle des gemacht;
Heerscht du net sei Belleglingel
In der schtille Grischtdaag Nacht?
Iwwer Barrige, Hiwwel, Fense
Yaagt es mit seim Schlidde bei;
Schtoppt am Haus un schluppt gans sacht
Mit seim Sack am Schannschtee nei,
'S iss alles schtill! Die Kinner schtecke
Schnack un Bett un draame schee;
Santa Claus watt sie net wecke,
Er dutt all sei Sach allee;
Mecht den Wunnermann mol sehne,
Doch er iss zu schlick un schlau!
Schmookt un lacht er, wie Leit meene?
Iss sei Baart so lang un grau?
Deel Leit meene des waer Faawel,
Es waer kee Grischtkindel so;
Veggel peife noch dem Schnawel,
Schlohe Grischde glaawe schloh.
Sei gegriesst, du scheenes Meenli,
Bleib yo immer frisch un yung;
Deine Giede, deine Wunner
Singt yo yedi Kinnerzung"
Nau waer will saage ass der gude Parre net sei
Mudderschprooch kennt? 'S iss net zu verleegele:
Es Grischtkindel iss aa der Saendi Klaas!!
Macht's gut,
Der Alt Professer
|
Dear people:
Last week we saw that the word "Grischtkind-el"
can literally mean Jesus Christ. When we find
Mary, Joseph, her husband, and the Christ Child
together, then it must be so.
And then we saw that it can also mean a Christ-
mas present. Who would doubt that Boonastiel and
Solly Hulsbuck know their Mother Tongue!
But we must also admit that the "Father of
Pennsylvania German Literature," Henry
Harbaugh (1817-1867) also knows his Mother
Tongue. Here are verses from his poem "Das
Grischtkindel":
"Oh, you dear childhood---Christmas!
You still live quite lively in my heart;
When I think of you, what a pulse beat
I feel, what a homesickness---pain!
Dark clouds I see hanging
Between me and that time;
But you shine in my thoughts,
The best light of my childhood joy.
Yes, I see the Christmas tree glittering,
Smiling at the room wall;
What a light that was in the darkness,
Heaven beautiful here on Earth.
Who can count the gifts,
Nuts and all kinds of sugary things!
One must be astonished, one must think,
Who brings all those things together!
That was certainly the good Christ Child.
It did all of that;
Don't you hear his bells ringing
In the still Christmas night?
Over mountains, hills, fences
He hurries over with his sleigh;
Stops at the house and slips very softly
With his sack unto the chimney.
Everything is still! The children are
Snug in bed and dream nicely;
Santa Claus will not wake them,
He does all of his things alone;
I would like to see that wondrous man once,
But he is too slick and sly!
Does he smoke and laugh as people think?
Is his beard so long and grey?
Some people think that that is a fable,
That there is no such Christ Child;
Birds sing accoding to their beaks,
Slow Christians believe slowly.
Be greeted, you beautiful little man,
Stay forever young and fresh;
Your good, your wonder
Is sung by every child's tongue."
Now who is going to say that the good pastor
doesn't know his Mother Tongue? It is not to be
denied: The "Grischtkindel" is also synonymous
with Santa Claus!!
Take care,
The Old Professor |
