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