Poetry Revisited: Am Grischtdaag – At Christmas by Calvin Ziegler

Am Grischtdaag (aus Drauss un Deheem: 1891/1936) Sis Grischtdaag.  Die ganz Welt iwwer Frei die Leit sich sehr, Un alles is harrlich, as wann der Daag Vom Himmel gelosse waer. Ich hock allee in mei Zimmer Un denk so iwwer die Zeit - Wie der Geischt vun Grischt sich immer Weider un weider ausbreid: Un wie heit in yeder Famillye Frehlich un gutes Mut In die liewi aldi Heemet Sich widder versammle dutt. Ach widder deheem! Ach, Yammer! - Net all! Deel sin yo heit Zu weit vun uns ab zu kumme - Fatt in de Ewichkeit. Net all deheem! Verleicht awwer - Unich behaap's kann sei - Im Geischt sin mir all beisamme Un griesse enanner uff's nei! So sin mir vereenicht widder - Loss die Zeit vergeb wiesie will; Ich drink eich ein Gruss, ihr Brieder! Verwas sitzt dir all so schtill? Weit ab - iwwer Barig un Valley, Un iwwer die Ewichkeit's Brick - Vun eich Brieder all, wie Geischdeschall Kummt mir Eier Gruss zerick. (Charles) Calvin Ziegler (1854-1930)

At Christmas (from Outside and At Home: 1891/1936) It's Christmas. The whole world over Everyone's filled with love, And everything's joyful, as if the day Was given from above. I sit alone in my room Thinking about the times - How the spirit of Christ always Wider and wider shines. And how today all families With much happiness embrace As they gather once again In the dear old home place. All home again! Oh, not so! - Not all! Some today in reality Are far from us below - Away in eternity! Not all at home! Perhaps though - And I insist I knew - In the spirit we're all together And greet each other anew. So we are together again - May the time go as it will, I drink to you a toast, brothers! Why do you all sit so still? Far away - over valley and ridge, And over the eternal bridge - From you brothers, like a spiritual echo Your greeting returns below. Original Pennsylvania Dutch and English version retrieved from Poetry Soup