CANTA RÍE BEBE

Here is a seasonal Spanish song which is perfect to get your Christmas party started. Most of the versions on YouTube are sung by annoying children’s choirs, but I’ve found a cool ska version performed by The Refrescos.

NB A Zambomba is a Spanish friction drum, consisting of a ceramic pot with a skin and a pole in the middle. To play it, the stick is rubbed to make a deep sound (see the video below).
NB Turrón is a sweet similar to nougat. It is traditionally given as a present at Christmas, and is often rock hard.

CANTA RÍE BEBE Me he comprado una zambomba (bomba) Un pandero y un tambor (-or) Y pá completar la fiesta Los cacharros del fogón Cógete unas tapaderas (-eras) Que no hay que dejar dormir (-ir) Ni al de arriba ni al de abajo Ni al que tiene guarda aquí (Refrain:) Canta, ríe, bebe, que hoy es Nochebuena Y en estos momentos no hay que tener pena Dale a la zambomba, dale al almirez Que mañana es fiesta y al otro tambien Esta noche hasta los guardias (guardias) Pescan una borrachera (-era) Por eso no tengo miedo A que nadie me detenga Hasta mañana temprano (-ano) No me tengo que acostar (-ar) Pues esta noche me ha dado Por cantar y por bailar (Refrain) Al chico de mi portera (-era) Hoy le han traído en camilla (-illa) Por pedir el aguinaldo Al tendero de la esquina Al tendero de la esquina (-ina) Que ha tenido la atención (-ón) De tirarle a la cabeza Un pedazo de turrón (Refrain)

SING, LAUGH, DRINK I've bought a zambomba A tambourine and a drum And to complete the party The pots from the stove Grab some saucepan lids We won't let anyone sleep Neither upstairs nor downstairs Not even the security guard (Refrain:) Sing, laugh, drink, today is Christmas Eve Now isn't the time to be shy Hit the zambomba, hit it with a pestle Tomorrow there's a party, and the next day too Tonight even the security guards Are as drunk as fish So I’m not worried about Anyone stopping me Until early tomorrow morning I don’t have to go to bed So tonight I've decided To sing and dance (Refrain) As for the porter’s boy Today they brought him in on a stretcher Because he asked for a Christmas gift From the grocer on the corner From the grocer on the corner Who was so kind as To throw a large chunk of turrón At his head (Refrain)

OUT IN THE SNOW by MARCOS SULLIVAN

Merry Christmas! Here is a song that I have written called “Out In The Snow”. See if you can spot the references to several Christmas classics.
Copyright reserved, Marcos Sullivan, 2022.

SOLANG’ MAN TRÄUME NOCH LEBEN KANN by MÜNCHENER FREIHEIT

GERMAN POP LYRICS

My recent series on Neue Deutsche Welle finished at the end of 1984, and I don’t think there were a lot of German language hits in the second half of the eighties. One act which managed to buck this trend was Münchener Freiheit, who were one of the most succesful bands during this period. Though their first album was NDW influenced, they are usually filed under Schlager. This was one of their biggest hits, reaching #2 in January 1988 in Germany. The band also released an English version (“Keeping the Dream Alive”, released under the name Freiheit) which was their only UK hit, reaching #14 in December 1988.

The track itself sounds like ELO covering ABBA, with Paul McCartney eating mince pies in the background. Merry Xmas and a happy new year!

SOLANG' MAN TRÄUME NOCH LEBEN KANN Ein Jahr ist schnell vorüber, wenn der Regen fällt Ein Meer voller Fragen Ich steh' dir gegenüber, in Erinnerung vergangener Tage Das große Ziel war viel zu weit, für uns're Träume zu wenig Zeit Versuchen wir es wieder, solang' man Träume noch leben kann Ein Jahr ist schnell vorüber, wenn der Nebel kommt mit silbernem Schweigen Du stehst mir gegenüber, und es fällt mir schwer, dir Liebe zu zeigen Das große Ziel war viel zu weit, für uns're Träume zu wenig Zeit Du weißt genau, dass irgendwann Einmal ein Wunder geschehen kann Versuchen wir es wieder, solang' man Träume noch leben kann Ich brauch' dich, das weißt du! Versuchen wir es wieder, solang' man Träume noch leben kann! Das große Ziel war viel zu weit, für uns're Träume zu wenig Zeit Du weißt genau, dass irgendwann Einmal ein Wunder geschehen kann Versuchen wir es wieder, solang' man Träume noch leben kann

AS LONG AS WE CAN STILL LIVE OUR DREAMS One year goes by quickly When the rain falls A sea full of questions I'm standing in front of you In memory of days gone by Our great goal was out of reach There wasn’t enough time for our dreams Let's try again As long as we can still live our dreams One year goes by quickly When the fog comes In silver silence You're standing in front of me And I find it difficult To show you my love Our great goal was out of reach There wasn’t enough time for our dreams You know very well, that sometimes A miracle can happen Let's try again As long as we can still live our dreams You know I need you! Let's go ahead and try again As long as we can still live our dreams Our great goal was out of reach There wasn’t enough time for our dreams You know very well, that sometimes A miracle can happen Let's try again As long as we can still live our dreams

LEISE RIESELT DER SCHNEE

GERMAN POP LYRICS: FROHE WEIHNACHTEN

This is one of the most popular Christmas carols in Germany. There are countless versions on YouTube, but I have gone for this version by Unheilig. It appears on their “Frohes Fest” album from 2002, which reworks German carols in Neue Deutsche Härte fashion.

LEISE RIESELT DER SCHNEE Leise rieselt der Schnee, Still und starr liegt der See, Weihnachtlich glänzet der Wald: Freue Dich, Christkind kommt bald. In den Herzen ist’s warm, Still schweigt Kummer und Harm, Sorge des Lebens verhallt: Freue Dich, Christkind kommt bald. Bald ist heilige Nacht; Chor der Engel erwacht; Horch’ nur, wie lieblich es schallt: Freue Dich, Christkind kommt bald. 's Kindlein, göttlich und arm, Macht die Herzen so warm. Strahle, du Stern überm Wald: Freue dich, Christkind kommt bald.

THE SNOW FALLS GENTLY The snow falls gently, The lake lies silent and still, The forest shines like Christmas: Rejoice, the Christ child will soon be here It’s warm in our hearts, Sorrow and grief remain silent, Life's worries fade away: Rejoice, the Christ child will soon be here Soon it will be Christmas Eve, The choir of angels awakes, Listen how lovely it sounds: Rejoice, the Christ child will soon be here Little child, divine and poor, Making hearts so warm, Shine, star above the forest: Rejoice, the Christ child will soon be here

TRISTE NAVIDAD by TRIO LOS CONDES

It’s been a strange year, so let’s indulge our sorrows with this melancholy Christmas song.

The composer is Rafael Hernández (from Puerto Rico),  who has already featured on this blog with his song “El Cumbanchero”. Trio Los Condes, also from Puerto Rico, recorded this great version in the 1960s

“Noche de paz” is the Spanish version of “Silent Night”, and the group quote from the carol towards the end of their performance.

TRISTE NAVIDAD Ay, que triste navidad Voy a pasar sin ti Solito aquí en mi hogar Y tu lejos de mi Ay, que triste navidad Donde estara mi amor Esta noche de paz De nuestro redentor Que triste se ve mi arbolito El heno que cuelga son lágrimas tristes Y llora porque tu te fuiste Y juntos lloramos nuestra soledad, sí Ay que triste navidad Donde estara mi amor Esta noche de paz De nuestro redentor Noche de paz, noche de amor Todo duerme en derredor Brilla la estrella de paz Brilla la estrella de paz

SAD CHRISTMAS Oh, what a sad Christmas I'm going to spend without you Alone here at home And you're far away from me Oh, what a sad Christmas Where can my love be On this night of peace Of our saviour? My little (Christmas) tree looks so sad The pieces of hay hanging there are tears of sadness And it cries because you've left And we cry together in our loneliness, yes Oh, what a sad Christmas Where can my love be On this night of peace Of our saviour? Night of peace, night of love Everyone around is asleep The star of peace shines The star of peace shines

ES IST EIN ROS ENTSPRUNGEN

GERMAN POP LYRICS: FROHE WEIHNACHTEN

Hmm… the British people are making some strange choices these days. I am taking solace in old hymns, including this German Christmas carol which was first published in 1599. In it the rose symbolises the Virgin Mary. The lyrics also mention Jesse, a figure described in the Bible as the father of David, who became the king of the Israelites. There is also a singable English version of this carol: “Lo how a rose e’er blooming”.

ES IST EIN ROS ENTSPRUNGEN Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, aus einer Wurzel zart, wie uns die Alten sungen, von Jesse kam die Art Und hat ein Blümlein bracht mitten im kalten Winter, wohl zu der halben Nacht. Das Röslein, das ich meine, davon Isaias sagt, hat uns gebracht alleine Marie die reine Magd Aus Gottes ew'gem Rat hat sie ein Kind geboren Welches uns selig macht. Das Blümelein, so kleine, das duftet uns so süß, mit seinem hellen Scheine vertreibt's die Finsternis. Wahr Mensch und wahrer Gott, hilft uns aus allem Leide, rettet von Sünd und Tod.

A ROSE SPRANG UP A rose sprang up From a tender root As the elders sang to us It descended from Jesse And brought forth a little flower In the middle of the cold winter Halfway through the night The little rose that I mean Of which Isaiah told Brought to us alone Mary, the pure maiden From God’s eternal advice She has borne a child Who makes us blessed The little flower, so small That smells so sweet to us With its bright shine It drives out the darkness True man and true God Helps us from all sorrows Saves us from sin and death

O TANNENBAUM by NAT KING COLE

GERMAN POP LYRICS

“O Tannenbaum” is one of the most popular German Christmas carols. The sturdy melody dates from the 16th century and the lyrics were written in 1824. Originally it was a song about a faithless lover and the evergreen fir tree was a contrasting symbol of faithfulness. Gradually it evolved into a Christmas song, but the line about the faithful leaves remains in many versions, including this great recording by Nat King Cole from his album “The Magic of Christmas” (1960). However, some modern versions change treu (faithful) to the more logical but less poetic grün (green).

The same melody is used for the socialist anthem “The Red Flag”, which is traditionally sung by the Labour party at the end of their conferences.

O TANNENBAUM O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum Du kannst mir sehr gefallen O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum Du kannst mir sehr gefallen Wie oft hat nicht zur Winterzeit Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum Du kannst mir sehr gefallen Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter

OH CHRISTMAS TREE Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree How faithful your leaves are Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree How faithful your leaves are You are green not only in summertime But also in winter, when it snows Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree How faithful your leaves are Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree I find you so pleasing Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree I find you so pleasing How many times in winter has One of your trees given me so much pleasure Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree I find you so pleasing You are green not only in summertime But also in winter, when it snows Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree How faithful your leaves are

THE SCHNITZELBANK SONG

GERMAN POP LYRICS

Over Christmas I was listening to Bob Dylan’s seasonal album, a record which tends to divide critical opinion. My favourite track is “Must Be Santa” (see below), which seems to be at least partly inspired by the Schnitzelbank song. This is a traditional drinking song and some German breweries have a handy poster to help you keep up with the lyrics.

Each verse becomes longer as more and more items are added to the list, a bit like the English carol “The Twelve Days Of Christmas”. For this reason I have only written out the first three verses in full! The song is also popular with children, particularly in the USA where it is sometimes used to help teach German. There are many versions with alternate lyrics but I think the ones below are the most traditional.

I took the lyrics and translation from this page: http://www.bethsnotesplus.com/2017/01/schnitzelbank.html, but as usual I have made some alterations and improvements.

SCHNITZELBANK 1. Ist das nicht ein Schnitzelbank? Ja das ist ein Schnitzelbank. Oh du schöne Schnitzelbank, oh du schöne Schnitzelbank. 2. Ist das nicht ein kurz und lang? Ja das ist ein kurz und lang. Ist das nicht ein hin und her? Ja das ist ein hin und her. Hin und her, kurz und lang, Oh du schöne Schnitzelbank, oh du schöne Schnitzelbank. 3. Ist das nicht ein kreuz und quer? Ja das ist ein kreuz und quer. Ist das nicht ein Schiessgewehr? Ja das ist ein Schiessgewehr. Schiessgewehr, kreuz und quer, hin und her, kurz und lang, Oh du schöne Schnitzelbank, oh du schöne Schnitzelbank. 4. …Wagenrad …krumm und grad 5. …grosses Glass …Ochsenblas 6. …Haufen Mist …Schnickelfritz 7. …dicke Frau …fette Sau 8. …langer Mann …Tannenbaum 9. …Hochzeitsring ….gefährliches Ding

CARVING BENCH 1. Isn't that a carving bench? Yes, it is a carving bench Oh you wonderful carving bench Oh you wonderful carving bench 2. Isn't that short and long? Yes, it is short and long Isn't that back and forth? Yes, it is back and forth Back and forth, short and long Oh you wonderful carving bench Oh you wonderful carving bench 3. Isn't that criss and cross? Yes, it is criss and cross Isn't that a shooting gun? Yes, it is a shooting gun Shooting gun, criss and cross Back and forth, short and long Oh you wonderful carving bench Oh you wonderful carving bench 4. …wagon wheel …bent and straight 5. …big glass …oxen bladder 6. …pile of dung …naughty boy 7. …stout woman …fat sow 8. …tall man …Christmas tree 9. …wedding ring ….dangerous thing

SILENT NIGHT

EUROPEAN POP LYRICS: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Silent night is one of the most popular Christmas carols, and here are the English lyrics.

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

However, the original is actually in German. It was composed by the Austrian Franz Gruber who set words by Joseph Mohr. Here are the German lyrics with a more literal translation.

STILLE NACHT Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht Alles schläft, einsam wacht nur das traute, hochheilige Paar Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh

SILENT NIGHT Silent night, holy night Everyone sleeping, awake alone Just the faithful holy couple Beloved child with curly hair Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace

There is also a Spanish version of the lyrics, and they vary considerably from the German original. You can see them below alongside my English translation. I think it is interesting to compare the Spanish version with “El Nacimiento” from Navidad Nuestra.

NOCHE DE PAZ Noche de paz, noche de amor Todo duerme en derredor Entre sus astros que esparcen su luz Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús Brilla la estrella de paz Brilla la estrella de paz

SILENT NIGHT Night of peace, night of love Everyone around is asleep Amongst the stars that spread their light Beautifully heralding the baby Jesus The star of peace shines The star of peace shines

Finally, here is the French version. Translation from: http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=2967

DOUCE NUIT Douce nuit, sainte nuit Dans les cieux, l'astre luit Le mystère annoncé s'accomplit Cet enfant sur la paille endormi C'est l'amour infini C'est l'amour infini

SWEET NIGHT Sweet night, holy night In the heavens, the star shines The heralded rite has been fulfilled This child asleep on the straw Is infinite love Is infinite love

IN DER WEIHNACHTSBÄCKEREI by ROLF ZUCKOWSKI

GERMAN POP LYRICS

This song has become a Christmas favourite of children in Germany. Though many people think it is a traditional song it was in fact written by Rolf Zuckowski in 1987 for the TV show “Wetter, dass…?” (Wanna bet that…?).

Zuckowski has sold over 13 million copies of his albums of children’s songs, making him one of the most commercially successful artists to come out of Germany.

IN DER WEIHNACHTSBÄCKEREI REFRAIN: In der Weihnachtsbäckerei gibt es manche Leckerei Zwischen Mehl und Milch macht so mancher Knilch eine riesengroße Kleckerei In der Weihnachtsbäckerei In der Weihnachtsbäckerei Wo ist das Rezept geblieben von den Plätzchen, die wir lieben? Wer hat das Rezept… verschleppt? Na, dann müssen wir es packen einfach frei nach Schnauze backen Schmeißt den Ofen an… und ran! REFRAIN Brauchen wir nicht Schokolade, Honig, Nüsse und Succade und ein bischen Zimt…? Das stimmt Butter, Mehl und Milch verrühren zwischendurch einmal probieren und dann kommt das Ei… vorbei! REFRAIN Bitte mal zur Seite treten denn wir brauchen Platz zum kneten Sind die Finger rein…? Du Schwein! Sind die Plätzchen, die wir stechen, erstmal auf den Ofenblechen warten wir gespannt… verbrannt! REFRAIN

IN THE CHRISTMAS BAKERY CHORUS: In the Christmas bakery There are lots of tasty treats Amongst the flour and the milk Some naughty boy Makes an enormous mess In the Christmas bakery In the Christmas bakery Where has the recipe got to The one for the biscuits we love? Who has taken the recipe… away? Well, then we'll just have to manage it We’ll just have to bake it up Turn on the oven… let’s go! CHORUS Don’t we need chocolate, Honey, nuts and candied fruits And a little bit of cinnamon…? That’s right Mix the butter, flour and milk together In between taste it And then comes the egg… missed! CHORUS Please make space Because we need room to knead (the dough) Are your fingers clean…? You pig! When the biscuits, which we prick (to decorate), Are already on the baking trays We wait excitedly… burnt! CHORUS