Santa Claus, the pleasant bearded elf dressed in red (in case you thought I was referring to some other Santa Claus), was not predestined to be a worldwide Christmas icon and beloved Coca-Cola pitchman.How different our Christmases would be if the annual chimney descent of “Sinterklaas” had remained a Dutch folk custom and instead America had embraced — and then exported to the world — a somewhat more curious and more frightening Pennsylvania tradition.
Source: The Next Page: Meet Belsnickel, the Counter Claus | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Watch out kids because Belsnickel's going to show up!
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Der Belsnickel
Oh, do you know that ugly, that nasty man?
Wow! Can you call that fellow a human being?
Yes, that he is a human, may be believed by whomever wants to,
He ...
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Yes! Kick Santa to the curb and turn Belsknickel loose upon the land.
For more 'Ask A PA Dutchman' episodes and Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch language videos check out Doulgas Madenford's YouTube channel.
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Folkways Records 1955 - Source: Smithsonian Folkways
Joe Raetel 0:40
Reide, Reide, Geili 0:37
Des Bucklich Mennli 1:24
Eiei, Reie, Riddieoo 1:15
In Einem Kiehlen Grunde 1:37
Schpinn, Schpinn 1:40
Siss Net Alli Daag Luschdich Leewe 1:07
Meedli, ...
Days of the week also used to have alternate names associated with domestic chores - Muundaag, for instance was Weschdaag (Wash-day), Dinschdaag, or Tuesday, was Biggeldaag (Ironing-day) and Sunndaag was ...
* I'm still in the process of formatting the Deitsch version. Scroll down for English version.
Die Nacht for de Chrischdaag
'S waar die Nacht for de Chrischdaag
und dorch es gans Haus ...
Der Belsnickel Suite, a symphonic work by Dave Kline performed by the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra
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The sound is not that great but this clip is very informative and well worth watching if you want to learn more about the Pennsylvania Dutch tradtion of Der Belsnickel.
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