Twas The Night Before Christmas – Translated into Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch by Thomas C. Zimmerman

 

* 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 [Maus ;

Verreegt sich ke’ Thierli, net emol en

Die Schtriimp waare schnock im Schorn-

schte gehunke,

In der Hoffning der “Nick” dheet “graad
runner dschumpe ; [Bett,

Die Kinner so schnock waare all scho im
Von Zuckerschleck draame un was mer,
doch, wott ; [der Kapp,

Die Mamme im Schnupduch un ich in
Hen uns juscht hi geleegt for’n lang Win-
ter’s Nap [nerse Jacht,
Dan draus in ‘m Hoof waar so ‘n dun-
Dass ich ufg’schprunge bin zu sehne

war’s macht.

An’s Fenschter graad schpring ich so

schnell wie’n Flasch, [Sasch !

Die Lade ufg’risse, ufg’schmisse die

Der Moond uf der Bruscht dem neu-

g’fallne Schnee

Macht elling wie Mitdaag, iiwwer alles,
so scho.

Im e’ Aageblick kummt, jetz, un rund

wie e’ Kersch [Hersch

E’ Fuhrmann im Schlidde un acht kleene
E’ Mannli in Pelze, sofreundlich un frei
‘Hab graadeweck g’wiisst’s muss der

Pelznickel sei ! [zusamme,

Wie Aadler, so schnell, sin die Herschlin
Un er peift un’r ruuft, un’r nennt sie mit

Naame : Jjetz Vixen !

“Jetz Dascher ! jetz Danzer ! jetz Pranzer !
Un Komet ! un Kupid ! un Dunder ! un

Blitzen !’ [gefalle

An der Porch isch er nuff, um die Mauer
“Jetz schpringt eweck ! schpringtaweck!

schpringt aweck alle !”
Wie laab for’m e Windschtorm der

wildscht das mer seht, [werts geht,
Wann ebbes im Weeg isch un’s himmel-
Zum Hausgiwwel nuf sin die Herschlin

wie g floge,
Mit ? m Schlidli foil Sach un der “Nick”

mit gezoge ; [owwedrowe

Im e’ Aageblick’ horscht uf’m Dach
En Gescheer un Gedanz wie mit hol’zene

Glowwe. [Haus

Mei Kop zieg ich nei, guk um mich im
Un im Schornschte. do kummt’r wahr-

haftig schun raus ! [Fuus,

Mit Peltze ferwickelt fon Kop biz zum
Un alles ferschnuttelt mit Aesche un

Ruus ! [G-‘schpiel

Uf’m Buckel en Bundel foil allerhand
‘S hat geguckt wie ‘m Kremer sei

Kramm artlig fiel. [die lache

Sei Maul, wie ‘n Kersch, un sei Dimple
Sei Aage, die blinzle, und wie Rosa sei

Backe. [Klee,

Gans rund war sei Mauli un roth wie der
Un ‘s Schnurbiirdli weiss wie woll, oder

Schnee : [Zeh,

En schtumpiges Peifli, fescht zwische de
Un der schmpok schteigt in Ringlin so

scho in die Hoh. [bissel

Sei G’sichtli so breed, un sei Bauchli e’
Ueverm Lache hot g’shittelt wie Dschelly

in der Schiissel. [Elfge,

So dick un so rund war des luschtige
Muss lache, graad aus un kan’s gaar net

helfe [Niicken

Sei Kopli waar eifrig un schwatzig mit
Sei Aage, gaar freundlich mit Blinzele un

Blicken ; [frolichem Braus,

Die Schtriimp hot ‘r g’fill’t, un mit
Da schpringt inschtandig, den Schorn-
schte hinaus ; [peift en Piftel,
Dann fliege sie fort wie Duun fon der

Dischtel : [hat er g’macht

Doch eb’ er gans fort waar, sei Gruss
“En herrliche Chrischdaag ! un zu alle,

Guut Nacht!”

‘Twas the night before Christmas when

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Source 

Related Posts
→ Pennsbury Manor prepping for festive Holly Nights celebration - Bucks County Courier Times Experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. Enjoy crackling bonfires, carolers, candlelit tours of the Manor ...
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 ...
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.
I came across this Belsnickel story on the Appalachian Lifestyles blog by Matthew Burns. He was gracious enough to grant me permission to repost it here. Enjoy. Christmastime in the Land ...
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.
→ Old-fashioned Christmas in Lehigh County offers look at Pennsylvania German life in 1842 - lehighvalleylive.com Saturday, December 6: 1:00 pm– 6:00 pm, last tour 5:15: A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Travel back ...
→ Pennsylvania Folkways: The Belsnickel brings light and darkness - Reading Eagle After having read many articles about Belsnickel, I find that one the most interesting aspects about the tradition is ...
→ Belsnickle Santa of yesteryear was not so jolly - The Herald-Dispatch More details here on the legendary Belsnickel. I do take issue with the following... Needless to say the first Belsnickle ...
Birdsboro’s Daniel Boone Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas
→ Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas - Pottstown Post Watch out kids because Belsnickel's going to show up! danielboonehomestead.org 12/7: A Homestead Christmas 12-4pm Admission Adult (13+) $6.00, Child (5-12) $4.00. FDBH members free, ...
→ Talking Christmas traditions with Don Yoder - Philly.com
→ City of Reading embraces ugly Christmas tree - The Morning Call Perhaps Reading should adopt the phenomena of the "Worlds Ugliest Christmas Tree" as a yearly ritual. Pretty, well decorated trees can ...
→ ‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’.
→ “Days of the Belsnickel” Lunch Tour Pennsylvania at the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Start with a video, then take a guided tour through the village, decked out Pennsylvania ...
In the Belsnickel's world, Christmas shouldn't be so enjoyable for the naughty kids. He comes at night, dressed in dirty furs, face blackened with charcoal. He has one purpose: To ...
In my mind's eye, the fanciful events depicted in Der Belsnickel Suite portray two special days on a family farm in a rustic and sturdy home built from field stone. ...
→ Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season - LancasterOnline
VIDEO: What is a Belsnickel?
Pennsbury Manor prepping for festive Holly Nights celebration
Meet Belsnickel, the Counter Claus
VIDEO | A living history presentation on the PA Dutch tradition of the Der Belsnickel
Christmastime in the Land of the Belsnickel by Matthew Burns
VIDEO | Ask A PA Dutchman: The Belsnickel
Troxell-Steckel Farm Museum old-fashioned Christmas offers look at Pennsylvania German life in 1842
Pennsylvania Folkways: The Belsnickel brings light and darkness
Belsnickle Santa of yesteryear was not so jolly
Birdsboro’s Daniel Boone Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas
Talking Christmas traditions with Don Yoder
City of Reading embraces ugly Christmas tree
‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’
Landis Valley Museum “Days of the Belsnickel” Lunch Tour
Belsnickel: A slightly terrifying Pennsylvania Dutch tradition
Der Belsnickel Suite, a symphonic work by Dave Kline performed by the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra
VIDEO| Origin of the “Belsnickel” In Under A Minute
Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season

Comments are closed.