Kids Songs Around the World with English Translations
or French Translations
or Spanish Translations
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This is the Christmas Songs Archive Page
- A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree (1)
- Australian Jingle Bells (1)
- Australian Twelve Days of Christmas (1)
- Ay del chiquirritín (1)
- Campanita del lugar – Little Town Bell (1)
- Feliz Navidad (1)
- Fum, Fum, Fum (3)
- Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar – The Three Wise Men (1)
- Giddy-up Little Bull – Huachí toritó (2)
- Good King Wenceslas (2)
- Hallelujah (1)
- Jingle Bells (3)
- Leise rieselt der Schnee (2)
- Nadal Tindaire – Jingling Christmas (1)
- O Tannenbaum – O Christmas Tree (1)
- Past Three O'clock (1)
- Patapan (3)
- Paure Satan (0)
- Silent Night (3)
- Stilla natt, heliga natt (1)
- Stille Nacht (2)
- The Gnomes' Christmas Night – Tomtarnas Julnatt (2)
- The Thirteen Days of Yule (1)
- The Twelve Days of Christmas (5)
- Tu scendi dalle stelle – You Come Down from the Stars (2)
- Veinticinco de Diciembre (1)
- Wassail (1)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas (1)
- Willie Take Your Little Drum (2)
- Ya viene el Niñito (1)
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My Tweets
Archive for the 'Christmas Songs' Category
Contents
Posts
Winter Wonderland YouTube Video and Song
Sunday, December 28th, 2008Here’s a nice, white and wintry video of the Winter Wonderland song, sung by alto singer, David Solomons…
French and Occitan Christmas Carol Links
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008Here are some Carols you can find the lyrics and translations to and often an mp3, midi, score, YouTube video and French and Spanish Translations – just click the link to access them:
Occitan Christmas Carols
Nadal tindaire – Jingling Christmas – from Occitania
Nadal tindaire – Jingling Christmas – Recording only – from OccitaniaPastres, rintratz vòstrei tropèus – Shepherds, Bring Your Flocks In – Occitania
Lo paure Satan – Poor Satan – OccitaniaFrench Christmas Carols
Nous étions trois bergerettes – We Were Three Young Shepherdesses – France
Patapan – France
Willie Take Your Little Drum – English Version of the French Carol Called PatapanEnjoy!
Mama Lisa
Christmas in Thailand and a New Thai Version of Jingle Bells
Monday, December 22nd, 2008Jet sent me a Thai version of Jingle Bells that she wrote. We don’t have any Thai Christmas songs, so I thought it would be nice to post here.
Here’s the note Jet wrote to me, followed by her song, followed by explanations of some of the Thai words:
I remembered hearing an Australian version of Jingle Bells, and I found it at your website. Your Australian versions of Jingle Bells prompted my to try my hand at writing a Thai version of the song as follows; hope you like it.
To be sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells” …
Dashing through the Soi,
Clutching at your hat
Racing with the dogs,
Chasing off stray cats.
Hoping it will be cool,
Finding out you’re wrong
Red faced and hot and dripping sweat
You have a cold beer by the khlong.Jing-en ben, jing-en ben,
Christmas time is here,
Chicken, somtam, sticky rice,
Good friends and good cheer, oh!Sawasdee, from us all,
Party time is near,
Sanook time, one and all,
Good friends and good cheer!Use tuk-tuks to get around,
They have the fastest moves,
It seems they have no rules,
They go where they can.
Hang on for your life,
Question who is nuts,
They rev and weave to a fare-thee-well
You end up praying for your life!Jing-en ben, jing-en ben,
Christmas time is here,
Chicken, somtam, sticky rice,
Good friends and good cheer, oh!
Sawasdee, from us all,
Party time is near,
Sanook time, one and all,
Good friends and good cheer!Note:
Soi = street
Khlong = canal
Jing-en ben = the way Thai people pronounce “Jingle Bells”
Somtam = papaya salad
Sawasdee = hello
Sanook = fun
Tuk-tuk = a three wheeled open vehicle, used to get around the cityWritten by Ms. Jetharee Uditananda in November 2008
I asked Jet if there are any specific Christmas time traditions in Thailand. Here’s what she wrote:
There are no specially “Thai” Christmas traditions here that I know of. Only one thing stands out; the Thais have “borrowed” the Western idea of gift giving, parties and family gatherings in the Christmas-New Year period.
Now, Thais do not only “go home” to their home towns during the Thai New Year (we call it our “Songkran” festival in April), we also take the opportunity of a few days of holiday to “go home” in the Christmas-New Year period to see relatives and loved ones.
Wishing you a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year Jet
Thanks Jet!
Finally, I found on some forums they mentioned that The Alvin and the Chipmunks album is the most popular music in Thailand at Christmastime. (You can hear clips at the link.) They also sing “Jingen Ben Jingen Ben Jingen Aun A Ray” (Jingle Bells), “Sandy Craw iss Comen to Taun” (Santa Claus is Coming to Town) and “I Deeming Ova Why Clissimus” (I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas).
Many thanks to Ms. Jetharee Uditananda for sharing her version of Jingle Bells with us and for letting us know about Christmas in Thailand. Thanks also to Dave Maddock of Project Gutenberg for the mp3 recording.
Mama Lisa
A Spanish Christmas Carol called Ay del chiquirritín – Oh, The Poor, Little Baby Boy
Monday, December 22nd, 2008I love how this Carol sounds in Spanish. The R’s are a bit challenging to sing – if you’re not a native speaker – at least for me they are!
Below you’ll find the Spanish lyrics to “Ay del chiquirritín”, followed by an English translation, then an mp3 recording and finally a YouTube video (with slightly different lyrics).
Enjoy!
Ay del chiquirritín
(Spanish Christmas Carol)Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.Entre un buey y una mula Dios ha nacido
y en un pobre pesebre lo han recogido.Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.Por debajo del arco del portalico
se descubre a María, José y el Niño.Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.No me mires airado, hijito mío
mírame con los ojos que yo te miro.Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
metidito entre pajas
Ay del chiquirritín chiquirriquitín
queridín, queridito del alma.Oh, The Poor Little Baby Boy
(English Translation)Oh, the poor little baby boy*, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.Between an ox and a donkey, the Child God was born
And in a poor manger, they received him.Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.Below the arch of the portal
We find Mary, Joseph and the Child.Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.Don’t look at me angrily, my dear little one,
Look at me the same way as I look at you.Oh, the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Who is lying in the straw
Oh the poor little baby boy, little boy,
Darling boy, little darling of our soul.*The literal translation should be “Woe the little boy”. But that sounded too strong for a current translation so “poor little boy” seems more accurate in modern English.
Check out the song page of “Ay del chiquirritín” at Mama Lisa’s World for the French translation, a score and midi.
Thanks to Monique Palomares for contributing this song and singing this song for us! Translated into English by Monique Palomares and Lisa Yannucci.
Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008Here’s the Peruvian Christmas Carol – Ya viene el Niñito – “Here Comes Baby Jesus”. First you’ll find a YouTube rendition of it by children in Loja – Ecuador (South America), followed by the lyrics in Spanish and then an English translation…
Ya viene el Niñito
Ya viene el Niñito jugando entre flores
Y los pajaritos le cantan amores
Ya se despertaron los pobres pastores
Y le van llevando pajitas y flores
La paja esta fría la cama está dura
La Virgen María llora con ternuraYa nomás se caen todas las estrellas
A los pies del niño, más lindo que ellas
Niñito bonito, manojo de flores
Llora pobrecito por los pecadores.Here’s a rhyming translation I did in English based on a literal translation by Monique Palomares…
Here comes Baby Jesus playing among the flowers
And the birdies sing him love songs from the bowers
The poor shepherds awoke at an early hour
So they could bring him straw and flowers
The bed is hard, the straw is cold,
The Virgin Mary cries tenderly, behold.Now all of the stars in the sky descend
At the baby’s feet, he’s prettier than them.
Bunch of flowers, beautiful son,
Cries for sinners, poor little one.Many thanks to Armando Vertiz Cayo for contributing this song.
Here are some recent holiday music posts you might enjoy…
Yiddish version of Oh, Chanukah with YouTube video and lyrics
English Video of Oh Chanukah with lyrics
Video and Lyrics of Willie Take Your Little Drum
Patapan video in French with Lyrics and Translation
Good King Wenceslas with lyrics, back-story and video
Short Holiday Jazz Animation
Barbershop Quartet recording of “Stille Nacht!” – “Silent Night” in German
Monday, December 15th, 2008Matt Huffman sent us this Barbershop Quartet recording of the first verse of “Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!”. It’s the original version of the Christmas song, “Silent Night” – which was first written as a poem in German by Joseph Mohr in 1816. Below the mp3 recording you’ll find the German lyrics, followed by an English translation.
Listen to the Barbershop Quartet version of Still Nacht – 1st verse – mp3
Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
(German Lyrics)Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab’ im lockigen Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Alleluja,
Tönt es laut bei Ferne und Nah:
"Jesus der Retter ist da!"
"Jesus der Retter ist da!"Stille Nacht! Heil’ge Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb’ aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’.
Jesus in deiner Geburt!
Jesus in deiner Geburt!Here’s the English translation of “Stille Nacht”. The translation is of the German song – it’s not the English song “Silent Night” – which is different…
Silent Night, Holy Night
(English Translation of the German Original)Silent night, holy night,
All’s asleep, alone awake
Only that faithful, holy couple.
The nice boy with curly hair,
Sleeps in heavenly peace,
Sleeps in heavenly peace!Silent night, holy night,
To the shepherds first announced,
By the angels’ Alleluia,
Is sounding aloud from far and near:
“Jesus the Savior is here.”
“Jesus the Savior is here.”Silent night, holy night,
O Son of God, lovingly laughs,
From your divine mouth!
Now, the hour of salvation rings for us,
Jesus, in thy birth,
Jesus, in thy birth!Many thanks to Matt Huffman for the recording. English translation by Lisa Yannucci and Monique Palomares.
Here’s a link to the long version of Stille Nacht
Here are some recent holiday music posts you might enjoy…
Short Holiday Jazz Animation
Yiddish version of Oh, Chanukah with YouTube video and lyrics
English Video of Oh Chanukah with lyrics
Video and Lyrics of Willie Take Your Little Drum
Patapan video in French with Lyrics and Translation
Good King Wenceslas with lyrics, back-story and video
Christmas in Japan
Monday, December 15th, 2008If you’re wondering what it’s like, click below to see!
It’s Lovely Weather for a Sleigh Ride Together – Jazz Animation
Saturday, December 13th, 2008Elle Fitzgerald sings in this wonderful winter animation!
Willie Take Your Little Drum – An English Christmas Carol with YouTube Renditions
Sunday, December 7th, 2008Willie Take Your Little Drum is a well-known English Christmas Carol, even though it’s based on a French Carol from Burgundy called Patapan. In my last blog entry, I posted the French lyrics to Patapan, with an English translation and a video of a French rendition of the song.
Here, I’m going to post some English videos of different renditions of the song. The first one is a more traditional choir performance. The second one seems like it’s from the renaissance, with pretty clothing that young kids will enjoy seeing. The last one is more raucous with lots of percussion! They all use the same lyrics – the ones I’m posting below.
These lyrics to Willie Take Your Drum seem to be the most popular ones that exist. I believe they come from a translation by Rev. Percy Dearmer (1867- 1936) for the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). There is one line that I must point out as being a bit funny. It’s “When they hear the fife and drum, Sure our children won’t be dumb.” (We think this means that when they hear the fife and drum, the children will start cheering.)
In any case, Willie Take Your Drum is a pretty song to listen to. So, sit back and enjoy the show!
Here’s the Cantamus Training Choir performing ‘Pat-a-Pan’ at the Mansfield Palace Theatre in 2007 for a Christmas concert…
Here’s are the English lyrics:
Willie, Take Your Little Drum
(English Lyrics)Willie, take your little drum;
With your whistle, Robin, come!
When we hear the fife and drum,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
When we hear the fife and drum,
Christmas should be frolicsome.Thus the men of olden days
Loved the King of kings to praise.
When they hear the fife and drum,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
When they hear the fife and drum,
Sure our children won’t be dumb.God and man are now become
More at one than fife and drum.
When you hear the fife and drum,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
When you hear the fife and drum,
Dance and make the village hum!Here are the Madrigals singing Willie Take Your Drum, with their wonderful costumes:
Here’s a fun, upbeat version of the song by Loosely Woven:
Enjoy!
Mama Lisa
Patapan – The French Christmas Carol with a YouTube Video
Sunday, December 7th, 2008Patapan is one of the most popular French Christmas songs. I’ve posted Patapan before with an mp3 recording. I thought it was worthwhile to repost it for the holiday season with another rendition – this time from YouTube.
Patapan, or Guillaume prends ton tambourin, is a traditional song from the Burgundy region in France. It’s also known in English as Willie Take Your Little Drum. It was written by Bernard de la Monnoye (1641-1728) around 1700. Monnoye wrote many other Burgundian carols around the same time.
A tambourin is a small cylindrical drum, usually made out of wood and covered with an animal skin. It’s hung from the shoulders and played with the hands. ‘Turelurelu’ is the sound the flute makes and ‘patapatapan’ is the sound of the drum. This is most likely the inspiration for the English Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy.
Below you’ll find a YouTube video rendition of Patapan in French (it cuts off slightly at the end – yet it’s worth watching). It’s followed by the French lyrics, an English translation and then the original Burgundian version…
Performed by “Choir Ars XXI”
Patapan
(French)Guillaume prends ton tambourin
Toi, prends ta flûte, Robin;
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Je dirai Noël gaîment.C’était la mode autrefois
De louer le Roi des rois
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Il nous en faut faire autant.L’homme et Dieu sont plus d’accord
Que la flûte et le tambour;
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Chantons, dansons, sautons en!Here’s a fairly literal English translation of the original Patapan song…
Willie Take Your Little Drum
(English)Willie take your little drum,
Robin take your flute, come!
To the sound of these instruments
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
To the sound of these instruments
I will joyfully sing Merry Christmas!It was the way of yonder times
To praise the king of kings
To the sound of these instruments
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
To the sound of these instruments
We must do the same.Man and god agree
About the flute and the little drum…
To the sound of these instruments
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
To the sound of these instruments
Sing! Dance! Jump around!Here’s Patapan in the old Burgundian dialect, which has an additional verse (#3)…
Guillô, pran ton tamborin
(Burgundian Dialect)Guillô, pran ton tamborin;
Toi, pran tai fleúte, Rôbin!
Au son de cé instruman,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Au son de cé instruman
Je diron Noei gaimanC’ étó lai môde autrefoi
De loüé le Roi dé Roi,
Au son de cés instruman,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Au son de cés instruman,
Ai nos an fau faire autan.Ce jor le Diale at ai cu
Randons an graice ai Jesu
Au son de cés instruman,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Au son de cés instruman,
Fezon lai nique ai Satan.L’homme et Dei son pu d’aicor
Que lai fleúte & le tambor.
Au son de cés instruman,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Au son de cés instruman,
Chanton, danson, sautons-an.There’s a popular English version of Willie Take Your Little Drum that I posted with English renditions of the song – come check it out! You can also check out the blog of the “Choir Ars XXI” to hear more of their wonderful recordings and watch videos of them performing!
Mama Lisa
Good King Wenceslas – A Carol with a Video – Come Hear it Performed!
Thursday, December 4th, 2008Good King Wenceslas was written in 1853 by the Englishman John Mason Neale. The tune is from “Tempus Adest Floridum”, a spring carol from the 13th Century. I’ve posted these lyrics before. Since then, there’s been an explosion of videos on YouTube. It seemed like a good time to post this wonderful song again, with a video rendition for the holiday season.
Good King Wenceslas has become a Christmas song, even though it sings about St. Stephen’s Day, which is the day after Christmas.
Wenceslas was born in 907. He was actually the Duke of Bohemia, not a king. Bohemia is now an area of the Czech Republic.
The story of “King” Wenceslas is a sad one. When he was 13 his father was killed in battle. His mother, Drahomira, became the ruler of Bohemia. She seems to have been a pagan. His grandmother taught Wenceslas Christian ideals. His mother was threatened by this and had his grandmother killed. Two years later she was deposed in an uprising, and King Wenceslas became the ruler of Bohemia. He was said to be an honest, kind man. He even allowed his mother to move back into the castle with him. Unfortunately, his evil brother Boleslav murdered him in 929.
King Wenceslas eventually became a saint.
This song shows his hospitality to a poor stranger on a harsh, cold winter evening.
Here’s video rendition of Good Kind Wenceslas, followed by the lyrics…
Here are the lyrics to Good King Wenceslas…
Good King Wenceslas
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel.“Hither, page, and stand by me
If you know it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes’ fountain.”“Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
You and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither.”
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind’s wild lament
And the bitter weather.“Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread you in them boldly
You shall find the winter’s rage
Freeze your blood less coldly.”In his master’s steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
You who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.Here’s a midi of Good King Wenceslas, if you’d just like to hear the tune.
Enjoy!
Mama Lisa
Does Anyone Know a Tagalog Christmas Song?
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008Joan wrote…
Hi Lisa,
I’m looking for a Christmas song in Tagalog for a Christmas around the world program at our school. Can you help?
Thank You,
Joan Hayden
Hope Montessori School, IndianaIf anyone can help out Joan, please comment below or email me.
Thanks!
Mama Lisa
Trying to find a Christmas Hymn with the line, “Beneath the olive shadows”
Monday, October 27th, 2008Peter wrote:
We sang this in Catholic School in NYC during the 40’s and 50’s. It started with the lyrics:
Beneath the olive shadows,
Our lady sat and spun,
A soft and tiny garment,
For her dear and precious One etc.Thanks for your help,
Peter Morrone
If anyone can help Peter with the lyrics to the Christmas Hymn, please comment below.
Thanks in advance!
Mama Lisa
Can Someone Help with the Pennsylvania Dutch Version of “Silent Night” ASAP?
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008Pastor Richard Lowe wrote:
One of the members of one of the churches I pastor went to be with with the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday. He once sang the first verse of Silent Night in church in Pa Dutch. I do not remember it as the German pronunciations I had heard previously. Would anyone be able to share a ‘phonic’ representation of this for me? I would like to remember in sharing at the service of life and resurrection Friday Mar 7, 2008.
If anyone can help Pastor Lowe, please comment below.
Thanks in advance.
-Lisa
Does Anyone Know of Hand Gestures That Go with the 12 Days of Christmas?
Sunday, December 23rd, 2007Rich Berrett wrote:
Growing up I recall hearing the 12 days of Christmas accompanied by hand gestures for each day… when I googled that issue it referred me to your site with this notation.. “The Twelve Days of Christmas actually start on Christmas and go up to the …. As with many children’s songs, there are different hand gestures that can be. . .” when I went to the link however I cannot find the remainder of the entry… I would love to find the gestures to teach my grandchildren. Any suggestions? Thanks for all you do. Rich
I think the Google entry must have been referring to two different blog posts.
Would anyone know of gestures that go with the 12 Days of Christmas? I’d love to learn them too!
Please comment below if you can help out. Thanks in advance!
-Mama Lisa
Does Anyone Know “All Around the World at Christmas Time”?
Saturday, December 22nd, 2007Sheri wrote:
Hi I am looking for the lyrics to “all around the world at Christmas time” any suggestions?
If anyone can help out, please comment below.
Thanks!
Lisa
Tu scendi dalle stelle (You Come Down from the Stars) – An Italian Christmas Carol with 2 Videos & a Score
Friday, December 21st, 2007Many people grew up hearing this lovely song at Christmastime. I posted it 2 years ago and and was amazed by the amount of people who wrote in saying how much this song touched them. That inspired me to repost it today with two YouTube videos. I thought you might enjoy hearing two very different renditions of this song.
The first version is a lively rendition at a party with about 8 people playing various string instruments and a piano. Below that video you can find the song lyrics to Tu scendi dalle stelle in Italian with an English translation. Below that I put a 2nd video – a choral rendition of the same song. Enjoy!
Tu scendi dalle stelle
(Italian)Tu scendi dalle stelle
O Re del Cielo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato!
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.A te che sei del mondo,
Il creatore,
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.Caro eletto pargoletto,
Quanto questa povertà
Più mi innamora,
Giacchè ti fece amor
Povero ancora.
Giacchè ti fece amor
Povero ancora.You Come Down from the Stars
(English Translation)You come down from the stars
Oh King of Heavens,
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.Oh my Divine Baby
I see you trembling here,
Oh Blessed God
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.For you, who are of all the world
The creator,
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord,
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.Dear chosen one, little infant,
This dire poverty,
Makes me love you more.
Since Love made you
Poor now.
Since Love made you
Poor now.Click the following link for The Sheet Music for Tu scendi dalle stelle – it’s free!
Many thanks to Monique Palomares at Mama Lisa’s World en français for the English translation of Tu scendi dalle stelle!
-Mama Lisa
The Elf Waltz – More about the Tomtar from Sweden
Wednesday, December 19th, 2007In my last blog post, I talked about the tomtar – little elf-like creatures in Sweden. The tomtar are nice to people who are nice to them, but they can act mischievously towards people who don’t treat them well.
The song below ends with the tomtar showing up at the door. The question is, are they there to help or hinder?
Here’s the song Tomtevalsen (The Elf Waltz) in Swedish, followed by an English translation and the midi tune.
Tomtevalsen
(Swedish)Lilla lisa i sitt kök
Rustar till et värre stök.
Suckar bittida och sent
Aldrig får man rent.Från sitt allra sista golv
Trött honn somnar dåMen när klockan den slår tolv
Knackar tomten påThe Elf Waltz
(English Translation)Little Lisa sits in the kitchen,
Preparing for a difficult clean-up.
Sighing, early and late,
Never will she clean.From the back of the room where she sits,
Tired, she dozes off.But when the clock strikes twelve,
The elves come knocking.Ed Gawlinski sent me this song. He was the director of a Santa Lucia festival for over 20 years. He told me that this song was sung by the 4 year olds who dressed up as tomtar (elves) for the performance.
Many thanks to Ed for sending me this song and the midi, and to Jason Pomerantz for helping with the translation.
-Mama Lisa
Tomtar are Like Gnomes and They’re an Important Part of Christmas in Sweden
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
In Sweden the tomtar are an important part of Christmas. The tomtar are a kind of tiny, benevolent elf or gnome. There are many holiday songs about them. Here’s one called Tomtarnas Julnatt – The Gnomes’ Christmas Night – in both Swedish and English followed by a YouTube recording of the song.
Tomtarnas Julnatt
Midnatt råder,
tyst det är i husen,
tyst i husen.
Alla sover,
släckta äro ljusen,
äro ljusen.Tipp, tapp, tipp, tapp, tippetippetipp tapp! Tipp, tipp, tapp.
Se, då krypa
tomtar upp ur vrårna
upp ur vrårna,
lyssna, speja,
trippa fram på tårna,
fram på tårna.Tipp, tapp, tipp, tapp, tippetippetipp tapp! Tipp, tipp, tapp.
The Gnomes’ Christmas Night
Midnight reigns,
It’s quiet in the houses,
Quiet in the houses.
Everyone sleeps,
The candles are put out,
Candles put out.Tipp, tapp, tipp, tapp, tippetippetipp tapp! Tipp, tipp, tapp.
Look, there comes
The gnomes out from the corners,
From the corners,
List’ning, watching,
Sneaking on their toes,
On their toes.Tipp, tapp, tipp, tapp, tippetippetipp tapp! Tipp, tipp, tapp.
“Tipp, tapp, tipp, tapp, tippetippetipp tapp! Tipp, tipp, tapp” is the sound of the tomtar tiptoeing around on their small feet.
Many thanks to “Whendin” for the great video and to Leif Stensson of Project Runeberg for contributing and translating this song!
-Mama Lisa
Come visit the Tomtarnas Julnatt page on Mama Lisa’s World for a longer version of this song and more about the tomtar.
Another Version of the German Carol Leise rieselt der Schnee – The Snow Quietly Falls
Monday, December 17th, 2007Recently, I posted a German song called Leise rieselt der Schnee (The Snow Quietly Falls), with a YouTube recording. Here is another YouTube recording of this song. This is a video of 2 people singing it in a park. It’s very lively!
This version has an additional verse, so I retranslated the whole song and included it. You can find the lyrics below in German and English. If you’re interested in reading a rhyming, singable English translation, check out my previous post.
Leise rieselt der Schnee
Leise rieselt der Schnee,
Still und starr ruht der See,
Weihnachlicht glänzet der wald.
Freue dich,’s Christkind kommt bald!In den Herzen wird’s warm,
Still schweigt Kummer und Harm,
Sorge des lebbens verhalt.
Freue dich,’s Christkind kommt bald!’s Kindlein, göttlich und arm,
Macht die Herzen so warm,
Strahle, du Stern überm Wald,
Freue dich, Christkind kommt bald!Bald ist heilige Nacht,
Chor der Engel erwacht,
Hört nur, wie lieblich es schallt:
Freue dich,’s Christkind kommt bald!The Snow Quietly Falls
The snow quietly falls,
The lake rests silent and still,
The woods shine in holy light
Be glad, the Christ child comes soon!It makes us feel warm in our hearts
Still and calm are sorrow and grief,
Worries of life they fade away,
Be glad, the Christ child comes soon!See the babe, divine and poor,
Makes the heart feel so warm,
Shine, star over the woods,
Be glad the Christ Child comes soon!Soon it will be the holy night,
Choir of angels awake,
Hear how lovely it sounds,
Be glad, the Christ child comes soon!Many thanks to “7syn” for letting me post her YouTube video!
-Mama Lisa
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