PA German Dialect

Es Neinuhr Schtick

4-20-00

Ihr liewe Leit:

Es iss gewiss Zeit fer en Gedicht vum Ralph Funk (1889-1969). Es heesst "Ich Waar Datt!"

Ich waar datt in sellem Gaarde
Wu der Schwitz droppst ab wie Blut
Vum Haerr seim Gsicht, weil am Bede-
Ich waar eens wu schloofe duht.

Ich waar datt in sellre Courtschtubb
Wu war gflucht, geloge frei,
Gschpautzt un ghaust graad wie Heide-
Ya, datt waar ich aa debei.

Ich waar datt in alt Yerusalem
Wu "Hosanna" yeders singt,
Un schtreet Palmnescht uff die Schtroosse,
Ich waar eens wu Neschter bringt.

Ich waar datt bei selle Yinger
Um sell Feier marrigets frieh;
Ich hab aa gflucht un gelegelt
Dass ich kenn der Haerr net, nie.

Ich waar datt am Galye-hiwwel
Wie der Haerr gegreizicht waar,
Wu Aerd ziddert, Sunn verschteckt sich
An was hen die Heide vor.

Iss mei Elt dann nienzeh hunnert?
Waar ich datt wie all des gscheht?
Nee, ich bin yuscht ebbes fuffzich,
Schwach so weit Erfaahring geht.

Doch wie Mensche selle Daage,
So sin all vun uns aa heit;
Un dedarch graad so schuldich
In des unser schpeedre Zeit,

All die Sinde mir heit duhne,
Die sin all so grooss un schwer
Wie wann mir bei selle Heide
All sie Sache duhn zum Haerr.

Drum waar unser Haerr gegreizicht
Un sei Blut gegosse frei,
Dass zu die wu an ihn glaawe
All ihr' Sind vergewwe sei.

Heit, wie ihr all schunn wisst, iss Grienerdunnerschdaag. Hen ihr eich ebbes Grienes grickt? Ebbes wie Biddre Selaat odder Andiffi odder Graut? Yeder PD weess ass mer so ebbes heit esse muss.

Un vergesst net's Graas zu mehe, dann bleibt's schee grie der gans Summer. Un nadierlich muss yeder gud PD Hoi in der Scheierhof schmeisse, wu die kennne. Dann warre sie es gans Yaahr net fett!

Macht's gut,
Der Alt Professer

Dear people:

It is certainly time for a poem by Ralph Funk (1889-1969). It is called 'I Was There!"

I was there in that garden
Where the sweat drops like blood
From the Lord's face, while (he is) praying-
I was one who slept.

I was there in that courtroom
Where there was swearing, lying freely,
Spitting and carrying on just like heathens-
Yes, I was also there.

I was there in old Jerusalem
Where "Hosanna" was sung by all,
And palm branches strewn on the streets,
I was one who brought branches.

I was there with those disciples
Around that fire early in the morning;
I also swore and denied
That I did not know the Lord, ever.

I was there on Golgotha (gallows hill)
Where the Lord was crucified,
Where the earth trembled, the sun hid
Because of what the heathens had in mind.

Is my age nineteen hundred?
Was I there when all that happened?
No, I am only about fifty,
Weak, as far as experience is concerned.

But like people of those days,
So we all are still today;
And therefore just as guilty
In this, our later time.

All the sins we commit today,
They are all as great and heavy
As if we with those heathens
Did all those things to the Lord.

That is why our Lord was crucified
And His blood freely spilled,
So that for those who believe in Him
All their sins will be forgiven.

Today as you all already know, is Green Thursday (Maundy Thursday). Did you get yourselves something green? Something like dandelion, endive or cabbage? Every PG knows that one must eat something like that today.

And don't forget to cut the grass, then it will stay nice and green the whole summer. And naturally every good PG must put hay into the barnyard, where the cows can eat it. Then they won't get fat the whole year!

Take care,
The Old Professor

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The Pennsylvania German Society
Located in the Zimmerman Cabin

at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center

22 Luckenbill Road

Ephrata, PA 19522

Our mailing address is:

The Pennsylvania German Society

P.O. Box 118
Ephrata, PA 19522
(484) 646-4227
Fax: (484) 646-4228
E-mail: pgs@kutztown.edu

updated 3-15-2007 paf