PA German Dialect

Es Neinuhr Schtick

December 23, 2004

Ihr liewe Leit:

   Letscht Woch hen mer gsehne ass es Watt “Grischtkindel” wattlich Yesus Grischdus meene kann. Wann mer die maria, der Yosef ihre Mann, un’s Grischtkindel zamme finne, dann muss es so sei.

   Un dann hen mer gsehne ass es aa en Grischtdaags-gschenk sei kann. Waer deet zweifle ass der Buhneschtiel un der Salli Holsbock ihre Mudderschprooch kenne!

   Awwer mer misse nadierlich aa zugewwe ass der “Vadder vun der PD Lidderadur,” der Henry Harbaugh (1817-1867), aa sei Mudderschprooch kennt. Do sin Vaerscht aus seim gedicht “Das Grischtkindel”:

O du liewer Kindheets-Grischtdaag!
   Lebscht noch 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 Kindheets-Freid.
Ya, ich sehn der Grischtbaam funkle,
   Schmunsle and der Schtuwwewand;
Was en Licht waar sell im Dunkle,
   Himmel schee im Erdeland.
Wer kann zeehle die Gschenke,
   Niss un Zucker allerlei!
Muss mer schtaune, muss mer denke,
   Wer schafft all die Sache bei?
Des waar schuur des gut Grischtkindel,
   Es hot alles 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 im Bett un draame schee;
Santa Claus watt sie net wecke,
   Er dutt all sei Sach allee;
Mecht den Wunnermann mol sehne,
   Doc her 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 em Schnawwel,
   Schlohe Grischde glaawe schloh.
   Sei gegriesst, du scheenes Mennli,
Bleib yo immer Frisch un yung;
Deine Giede, deine Wunner
   Singt yo yedi Kinnerzung.

   Nau wear will saage ass der gud Parre Harbaugh net sei Mudderschprooch kennt? ‘S iss net zu verleegle: es Grischtkindel iss aa der Saendi Klaas!

Macht’s gut,
Der Alt Professer

Dear people:

   Last week we saw that the word “Grischtkindel” can literally mean Jesus Christ. If we find Mary, Joseph and her husband, and the Grischtkindel together, then it must be so.

   And then we saw that the word could also mean a Christmas present. Who would doubt that Boonastiel and Solly Hulsbuck know their Mother Tongue!

   But we must naturally also admit that the “Father of PG Literature,” Henry Harbaugh (1817-1867), knows his Mother Tongue too. Here are some stanzas from his poem “Das Grischtkindel”:

Oh, you dear childhood-Christmas!
   You still live 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 hereon 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 Santa Claus,
   He 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 into the chimney.
Everything is still! The children are
   In bed and dream nicely;
Santa Claus will not wake them,
   He does everything alone;
I would like to see that wondrous man once,
   But he is too slick and sly!
Does he smoke and laugh, as people thing?
   Is his beard so long and gray?
Some people think that that is a fable,
   That there is no such Santa Claus;
Birds sing according to their beaks,
   Slow Christians believe slowly.
Be greeted, you beautiful little man,
   Stay forever young and fresh;
Your goodness, your wonder
   Are sung by every child’s tongue.

   Now who is going to say that the good Pastor Harbaugh doesn’t know his Mother Tongue? It is not to be denied: The “Grischtkindel” is also Santa Claus!

Take care,
The Old Professor

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