Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas ( Good old Saint Nicholas ) is a Carol from the United States . The author of the text and the composer are unknown. It was probably written in the 2nd half of the 19th century or the early 20th century.
It leads to a wish list with the following closing verses:
As for me, my little brain
Isn't very bright;
Choose for me, old Santa Claus,
What you think is right.
In translation:
As for me, my head
is not very bright;
Choose for me, old Santa Claus,
what you think is right.
text
Jolly old Saint Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way!
Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say;
Christmas Eve is coming soon;
Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you'll bring to me;
Tell me if you can.
When the clock is striking twelve,
When I'm fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black,
With your pack you'll creep;
All the stockings you will find
hanging in a row;
Mine will be the shortest one,
you'll be sure to know.
Johnny wants a pair of skates;
Susy wants a dolly;
Nellie wants a story book;
She thinks dolls are folly;
As for me, my little brain
Isn't very bright;
Choose for me, old Santa Claus,
What you think is right.
Rhythmically correct, partly free translation:
Good old Santa Claus,
turn your head to me.
Please
do not trust anyone what I say to you:
Christmas Eve is coming soon
and so I ask you:
whisper in my ear,
what you bring for me.
When the clock strikes twelve times,
I am deep asleep,
you come
out of the fireplace with a black gift bag.
Christmas
stockings hang there nicely in a row
and my little Christmas stocking
is also there.
Johnny wants roller skates,
Barbies Annegret,
Nelly wants a good book,
Barbies thinks stupid.
Only my poor little brain
doesn't think anything up.
Find
something for me yourself , dear Santa Claus .
Web links
- text
- Notes ( Memento from January 8, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
Videos
See also
References and footnotes
- ^ William E. Studwell: Christmas Carols. A Reference Guide. New York & London 1985, p. 115 (No. 399)