Es Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch Eck
(Originally published in the April 3, 1985 issue of
The Shopping News)
Oschdre
By Russell W. Gilbert
Bei uns daheem
Wu waxe Beem
Schier himmelschoch,
Mir schtrewe nooch.
Im Summersgrie
Mir biege Gnie
Uff sanfder Grund
Un bede gsund.
Wann Winder kummt
On’s Grie verschtummt,
Watt laut mei Mund
In Goddesbund.
Im Hatz ken Angscht,
Weil Gott Du langscht
Mer Lewesbrot
In greeschder Not.
Mit Oschdre siegt
Wer Mensch mol wiegt,
Der Schtee rollt weck,
Fatt Dodesschreck.
O scheener Daag,
Uns Schuld veryaag!
O liewi Zeit,
Bring Freed uns heit!
Easter
At our home
Where trees
Nearly reach the heavens,
We strive upward.
In summer’s green
We bend our knees
Upon gentle soil
And offer sound prayer.
When winter comes
And green turns silent,
My lips speak
In God’s covenant.
No fear in the heart,
Because you God hand
Me the bread of life
In greatest need.
With Easter He who
Will some day judge mankind conquers;
The stone rolls away,
Gone the terror of death.
O beautiful day,
Cast out our guilt!
O lovely season,
Bring us joy today!
***
The poem Oschdre by Professor Russell W. Gilbert, Emeritus Professor of German at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Snyder County was written on Easter, April 18, 1976. Russell Gilbert is now in his 79th year. We are most grateful to him for permission to use this poem in this Eck.
In the notes which Dr. Gilbert has appended to Oschdre, he observes that the words verschtummt (silent) and Mund (mouth) are rare today in our Mudderschprooch. He also points out that the singular form Angscht, which he uses, is less commonly used than the plural form Engschde. Gilbert has chosen to employ the form siegt (to conquer, gain the victory), but he notes that siecht may be the more usual form.
In this 1985 Easter season, we greet our colleague Dr. Russell W. Gilbert of Sieleschteddel! Since Easter is early this year, we very much doubt that our deitscher Schtrohhut will have thawed out by this first week in April, still we wave it in salute toward Selinsgrove – icicles and all!
Der dritt Abrill 1985
Yuscht en Bischli-Gnippli
vun der Millerschtadt
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