Theodor Storm - Knecht Ruprecht
I come from out of the forest;
I have to tell you, it's very Christmassy!
Everywhere on the tops of the fir trees
I saw golden lights;
And up above, from the gates of heaven
the Christ Child looked out with wide eyes;
And as I strolled through the dark fir tree,
it called to me with a bright voice:
"Servant Ruprecht," it called, "old chap,
lift your legs and hurry up!
The candles begin to burn,
the gates of heaven are opened,
Old and young shall now
rest from the chase of life;
And tomorrow I will fly down to earth,
because it will be Christmas again!"
I said: "O dear Lord Christ,
my journey is almost over;
I'm only supposed to go to this town,
where it's full of good children."
- "Do you have the bag with you?"
I said: "The bag is here:
Because apples, nuts and almond kernels
are what pious children like to eat."
- "Do you have the rod with you?"
I said: "The rod is here;
But for the children only, the bad ones,
she hits them on the part, the right one."
The Christ Child said: "That's right;
So go with God, my faithful servant!"
I come from out of the forest;
I have to tell you, it's very Christmassy!
Now tell me how I find it here inside!
Are they good children, are they bad children?
Source photo: © Renate Kalloch / PIXELIO