The Great Gildersleeve

The Great Gildersleeve premiered on August 31, 1941. Originally the next door neighbor to Fibber and Molly McGee on Wistful Vista, Gildersleeve moved to Summerfield to take on the rearing his orphaned niece and nephew, Marjorie and Leroy Forester, and oversee his late brother-in-law's estate and household that included a simple-minded cook named Birdie. A forerunner to such later television hits as "Bachelor Father" and "Family Affair", both of which are centered on well-to-do uncles taking in their deceased siblings' children. In striking contrast Gildersleeve was a bachelor of limited personal means rearing two children of a rich relative. And this while serving as Summerfield's water commissioner and balancing time with the ladies and nights with the boys. The Great Gildersleeve may have been the first broadcast show to be centered on a single parent attempting to juggle child-rearing, work, and a social life - done with taste and genuine wit, often at the expense of Gildersleeve's slightly understated pomposity.

The episode presented here is from December 24, 1947, and deals with his attempt to find his nephew the perfect present for Christmas all the while dressed as Santa Claus. Things are going south for him when suddenly they take a turn for the better. Or do they? 

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Three Men

We're almost half way through the twelve days of Christmas which lead up to Three Kings Day - the day celebrating the visit of the three men who came from the east to Jerusalem searching for "he that is born King of the Jews." With this in mind I present a Radio City Playhouse  broadcast from December 1948 entitled simply "Three Men".  It is a radio drama in keeping with the tone and tenor of its time. I would encourage you to compare and contrast it to any December episode of "Two and a Half Men" of TV fame... or infamy - your choice. 

As always...

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May We Remember...

The twelve days of Christmas are waning. And so as we approach the close of this joyous season, let me share these thoughts with you: 

Once again were lit the Christmas candles,
Attempting to awake the seasonal joy in mankind's heart.
In this season, dear mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers,
What songs should I sing, what words should I speak?
For I want to wish you, in celebration of these holy days,
The most beautiful of all beauty and the best of all that is good.
To thank you for gifts given this day and all days before,
And for the love I have felt, so may it return tenfold to you.

So may we all remember, that all may have the lyricists hope instilled in our hearts. Hope as was expressed in the words of a once popular Christmas song: "May I suggest the secret of Christmas is not the things you do at Christmas time, but the Christmas things you do all year through."

Worthy Is The Lamb

Revelation 5:12-13 

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But Thanks Be To God

1 Corinthians 15:57 

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Since By Man Came Death

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 

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Hallelujah

Revelation 19:6; 11:15; 19:16 

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Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder

Psalm 2:3 

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Their Sound is Gone Out

Romans 10:18 

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The Lord Gave the Word

Psalm 68:11 

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Let All the Angels of God

Hebrews 1:6 

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Lift Up Your Heads

Psalm 24:7-10 

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He Trusted In God

Psalm 22:9 

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All We Like Sheep

Isaiah 53:6 

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And With His Stripes

Isaiah 53:5 

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Surely, He hath Borne Our Griefs

Isaiah 53:4-5 

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Behold the Lamb of God

John 1:29 

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His Yoke is Easy

Matthew 11:30 

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Glory to God

Luke 2:14 

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For Unto Us a Child is Born

Isaiah 9:6 

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O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings

Isaiah 40:9 

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And He Shall Purify

Malachi 3:3 

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And the Glory of the Lord

Isaiah 40:5 

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Stille, stille, stille (Austrian)

Still, Still, Still

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Joseph lieber Joseph mein

Joseph dearest, Joseph mine

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Ihr Kinderlein kommet

O Come Little Children

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Zu Bethlehem geboren (Geistlicher Psalter, Köln 1638)

Born in Bethlehem

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Ich lag und schlief

I Lay Sleeping

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Kindlein zart

Sweet Child

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Lieb Nachtigall, wach auf

Awake, Sweet Nightingale

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Laßt uns das Kindlein wiegen

 Let us rock the child

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Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen

The Christmas Tree With Its Candles

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Vom Himmel hoch

Angels Come from Heaven High

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Aba Heidschi Bumbeidschi

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Immitten der Nacht

At Midnight

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Andachtsjodler

Christmas Yodler

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Kommet, ihr Hirten

Come, Ye Shepherds

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Ihr Hirten erwacht !

Shepherds, Awake!

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Macht hoch die Tür

Open the Gates

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Ich steh' an deiner Krippe hier

Standing at the Manger

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Es hat sich halt eröffnet

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A SPECIAL PLACE ON THE TREE

As you remember Judy, Jimmy, and the Cinnamon Bear all climbed into Santa's sleigh, set out to chase down the Crazy Quilt Dragon, who was headed straight for the North Pole. If Crazy Quilt could have climbed the pole to where the Misty Folk live, he would have escaped forever with the children's precious star. But Paddy O'Cinnamon tried frantically and desperately to grab hold of the dragon. Then, in a moment of inspiration, they all hollered a loud 'boo!' And at that, Crazy Quilt tumbled down the Pole. There was a wild scramble and...

...the children suddenly heard their Mother's voice saying, “Wake up! You're all tangled up in that old crazy quilt.” Their mother didn't understand, of course, and Judy and Jimmy wondered to themselves, was it all really a dream?

In gratitude to Paddy O'Cinnamon for his help, Judy and Jimmy vowed to find the little stuffed bear a special place on their tree every year.

If you would like to do the same, give me your email address in the comments and I will send you a picture of Paddy O'Cinnamon, the Cinnamon Bear, that you can mount as an ornament for your tree.

STILLE NACHT

This Christmas song reminds me of high mass at the St. Bernhardus Kirche, the cathedral at  Durlacher Tor in Karlsruhe, Germany, on December 24, 1962. Why I was there is the subject of an other post. Let me simply say that I have never seen so many candles on so many trees as there were around the altar of that church that night. My first Christmas away from home. And in a foreign country during one of the coldest winters in decades...  I heard this carol, this familiar carol...

May it warm you now as it warmed me then.

STILLE NACHT - words and translation

It was December 24,1818, in a small Austrian village called Oberndorf, just hours before Christmas mass and pastor Joseph Mohr was in a bind. His musical plans for the evening church service were ruined since the organ of his church (St. Nicholas Kirche) had broken down recently due to a recent flooding of the nearby river. What could he do? In a moment of inspiration, he grabbed a Christmas poem he had written two years earlier and quickly set off to the neighboring village, where his friend Franz Gruber, the church organist, lived.

It is believed that Franz Gruber was able to produce on that night in just a few short hours, the first version of the world renowned Christmas hymn “Stille Nacht”, written as a guitar accompaniment. The song that we sing today is slightly different from the original version - it is believed that folk singer and choir groups altered the original melody slightly as they performed the carol throughout Europe in the ensuing decades. (See Stille Nacht complete with an English translation for the original Stille Nacht version.). The English version we know today was written by the Episcopal priest John Freeman Young, however the standard English version contains just three verses, whereas the German version contains six. (only verses 1, 6 and 2 from the original Joseph Mohr version are sung in English.)

Deutsch
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!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816
Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818

English
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

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - North Pole

YESTERDAY - It's nearly Christmas now and the intact star is back with Judy and Jimmy. They are anxious to return to their home. Crazy Quilt wanted to remain at the North Pole, but the children and Paddy will return home in Santa's sleigh. As he was climbing up into the sleigh, Jimmy asked Crazy Quilt to hold the star. When he turned to ask the dragon to hand him back the shiny ornament, Jimmy and Judy discovered Crazy Quilt was gone... running away as fast as he could go!

AND NOW… Episode 26: Returned to the Attic
Santa, Paddy, Judy, and Jimmy pursue Crazy Quilt to the North Pole. As Crazy Quilt begins to climb the Pole, the group scares him. When he falls down, they recover the star and the twins find themselves magically back in their attic with their mother shaking them out of a sleep. When they finally place the star on top of the tree, Judy and Jimmy wonder if it has all been a dream. Then they hear the Cinnamon Bear's song one more time. First broadcast Saturday, December 25, 1937

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Captain Tintop

YESTERDAY - Back in Santa's office, things became clear. Melissa had warned that the Wintergreen Witch had escaped from her exile and headed for the Snow Country. Reinforcements were sent to the soldiers battling the witch. In the meantime, Santa took his visitors on a tour of the North Pole workshop. Then came word that Capt. Tintop had returned victorious... and with the star!

AND NOW… Episode 25: Betrayed by Crazy Quilt
With the silver star now safe, and the Wintergreen Witch turned into a wreath, Santa offers to take Judy, Jimmy, Paddy, and Crazy Quilt back to the attic, but Crazy Quilt wants to remain in the snow country. As the group climbs into Santa's sleigh, Jimmy hands Crazy Quilt the silver star for just a minute - and, true to his nature, Crazy Quilt dashes off with it. First broadcast Friday, December 24, 1937 

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O, SANCTISSIMA

I thought you might like hear the Catholic or Latin hymn sung to the same melody - Sicilian mariners hymn - as O du Fröhliche. Unlike O du Fröhliche the Latin O Sanctissima is not typically heard at Christmas, but more often sung in Catholic churches on Marian feast days. The very striking difference between the two songs, though sharing a melody, is that O Sanctissima is a hymn to Mary while the German and English songs speak of Jesus himself and the day of birth.


O, SANCTISSIMA

O, Sanctissima, O, Piissima,
O, Sanctissima, O, Piissima,
Dulcis Virgo Maria!
Mater amata, intemerata,
Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis!

Tua gaudia et suspiria
Tua gaudia et suspiria
Juvent nos, o, Maria!
In te speramus, ad te clamamus,
In te speramus, ad te clamamus,
Ora, ora pro nobis!


English translation

Oh, the most holy one, oh, the most pious one,
Oh, the most holy one, oh, the most pious one,
Mild Virgin Mary!
Beloved mother, the most righteous one,
Beloved mother, the most righteous one,
Pray, pray for us!

May your joy and your cry
May your joy and your cry
Help us, oh, Mary!
We believe in you, we praise you,
We believe in you, we praise you,
Pray, pray for us!

O DU FRÖHLICHE

This very popular German Christmas carol has Italian origins.
In 1788 the German philosopher, theologian, and poet Johann Gottfried von Herder (1744-1803) found the melody during a trip to Italy and took it back to Germany. The melody is that of a Sicilian fisherman's song and was originally used for the Latin hymn "O sanctissima, o piisima, dulcis Virgo Maria" which is still sung in Italy in the Roman Catholic Church.

Johannes Daniel Falk (1768-1826) found this song in Herder's collection Stimmen der Völker in Liedern ("The Voices of the People in Song") and around 1816 wrote the German lyrics. After Falk lost four of his seven children to typhoid fever, he founded an orphanage (Rettungshaus für verwahrloste Kinder, literally the rescue center for abandoned children) and dedicated the song to the children of the orphanage. In its original version, the song was titled "Allerdreifeiertagslied", or "A Song for Three Holidays" as it mentions three festivals of Christianity - Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. The song which is sung today and which quickly became one of the most popular German Christmas songs, retains Falk's first verse and combines with it two verses by his assistant, Heinrich Holzschuher (1798-1847).

In the protestant churches of Germany, the song is traditionally sung at the end of Christmas Eve services from the Evangelische Gesangbuch. It can also be found in various parts of the German Catholic Church's Gotteslobs, in the Free Church's Feiern u Loben, and in the Mennonite Mennonitische Gesangbuch. And because of the simplicity of the words, it is one that I can sing along with - generally out of earshot of any serious music critic or aficionado.

O Du Fröhliche - words and translation

DEUTSCH
MELODIE: Sizilianisches Fischerlied - Johann Gottfried von Herder (1788)
TEXT: Johannes Daniel Falk (1816)/ Heinrich Holzschuher (1829)

O du fröhliche, o du selige,
Gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Welt ging verloren,
Christ ist geboren,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!

O du fröhliche, o du selige,
Gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Christ ist erschienen,
Uns zu versöhnen,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!

O du fröhliche, o du selige,
Gnadenbringende Weihnachtszeit!
Himmlische Heere
Jauchzen dir Ehre,
Freue, freue dich, o Christenheit!


ENGLISH (Literal translation of the German)

O you merry, o you blessed,
Merciful Christmastide!
The world was lost,
Christ was born,
Rejoice, rejoice o Christendom!

O you merry, o you blessed,
Merciful Christmastide!
Christ appeared,
To reconcile us,
Rejoice, rejoice o Christendom!

O you merry, o you blessed,
Merciful Christmastide!
Heavenly hosts,
Exult your honor,
Rejoice, rejoice o Christendom!

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - The Parade

YESTERDAY - Jack Frost raised the window in time to spot the Bad Dolls dashing away with the star. Santa ordered out the detachment of tin soldiers to pursue the dolls. But bad news, Captain Tintop radioed back that the troops were encountering difficulties. A strange creature, never before seen in the Snow Country, was aiding the Bad Dolls.

AND NOW… Episode 24: Thrilled by a Train Ride
Santa tells the twins not to worry and gives everybody a train ride. While riding on the train, they see all the toys. Eventually Santa is informed that the Captain of the Tin Soldiers is waiting in his office with the silver star in hand. His troops have defeated the enemy! First broadcast Thursday, December 23, 1937

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - The Bad Dolls

YESTERDAY - Santa made the group welcome and ordered up his reindeer to take the four adventurers to the shop of Jack Frost, who quicker than quick, repaired the Silver Star as good as new. He put it on his window sill to get good and cold, but when they were ready to go, they found it missing!

AND NOW… Episode 23: Enchanted by Santa's Storeroom
Jack Frost observes the Bad Dolls - a group of mean-spirited dolls made with bad sawdust - running off with the silver star. Santa sends out the Tin Soldiers and invites Paddy, Judy, and Jimmy to the big storeroom where they reunite with Crazy Quilt. Eventually, Santa receives word that the soldiers need reinforcements because some hideous green creature is leading the Bad Dolls. First broadcast Wednesday, December 22, 1937

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LEISE RIESELT DER SCHNEE

This popular German children's carol is about the Christ Child's arrival. It invites the listener to imagine a child sitting by a window watching the snow gently falling in anticipation of Christmas Eve. The original 1895 title was "Weihnachtsgruß" ("Christmas greeting") and was included in Eduard Ebel's Gesammelte Gedichte ("Collection of Poems"). Ebel was a Protestant pastor, poet, and composer. This carol was his effort at capturing the wintery and celebratory mood of Advent, a word derived from Latin that means "arrival."

In 1839 Hamburg resident and missionary Johann Hinrich Wichern introduced the Adventskranz (Advent wreath) for the children of the "Rauhen Haus" who would ask, "When will it be Christmas?" It was made from an old wagon wheel with enough candles for each day of the Advent season. Originally there were four large white candles for the Sundays and Christmas Eve with smaller red candles filling in between. From this was developed the idea of the Advent wreath with four candles and since 1860 the wreath has been made of greenery - generally fir or spruce. For many years my family either bought or made an Adventskranz as a reminder of Christmas in Germany - and what and why we celebrate at this time of year.

And I do dream of a white Christmas like the child I see when I hear this song.

Leise rieselt der Schnee - words and translation

DEUTSCH
Melodie: Traditional (Volkweise)
Text: Eduard Ebel (1839-1905)

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!


ENGLISH (Literal translation of the German)

Softly falls the snow,
Quiet and frozen lies the lake.
Christmas-like sparkles the forest:
Rejoice! The Christ Child will soon be here.

In our hearts it’s warm,
Silent are sorrow and grief,
Life’s worries fade away:
Rejoice! The Christ Child will soon be here.

Soon it’s Christmas Eve,
Choir of angels awakes,
Just hear how lovely it sounds:
Rejoice! The Christ Child will soon be here.

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Santa Claus

YESTERDAY - Settled into the Fly Hat our travelers took off for the Snow Country. There, on Melissa's instructions, they sought for someone known as Nicky Froodle. A W.C. Fields-sounding snowman directed them to a nearby castle and the little elf named Nicky. He told them that he would take them to someone who could help them mend the broken star, none other than Santa Claus himself.

AND NOW… Episode 22: Welcomed by Santa Claus
Santa warmly receives Paddy, Crazy Quilt, and the Barton twins. Crazy Quilt stays behind, as Santa takes Paddy and the twins to the home of Jack Frost who will repair the star. Jack puts magic snow cement on the star and the pieces fit back together again. After he puts it on his windowsill to harden, the star is stolen. First broadcast Tuesday, December 21, 1937

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Flying Hat

YESTERDAY - It's only Chief Cook'n Bottlewasher, who has been attracted to Crazy Quilt's colourful pelt, which he wants. But Judy persuades him to take her pocket mirror instead. Just when they reach the Golden Grove, the evil Wintergreen Witch reappears. She demands the broken star and, since Judy no longer has the protective looking glass, Jimmy is forced to surrender the pieces of the star to the Wintergreen Witch.

AND NOW… Episode 20: Lulled to Sleep by a Singing Tree
Wintergreen demands the star pieces, but her evil magic doesn't work. She threatens to destroy the shattered star. Queen Melissa's assistant arrives, arrests Wintergreen "for practicing magic without a license" and hauls her off to Looking Glass Valley, where she will spend the rest of her days staring at her hideous self. The relieved travelers, star pieces again in hand, lay down under a tree and are lulled to sleep by beautiful singing. They have discovered the Singing Tree. When they awake, they see a big hat with a door -- and, pinned to the opening, is a note! First broadcast Saturday, December 18, 1937 

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ES IST EIN ROS’ ENTSPRUNGEN

"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen," (literally "A rose has sprung up,") most commonly translated to English as "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming", is a Christmas carol and Marian Hymn of German origin. Although some sources indicate the hymn might date back into the 14th century, the hymn is popularly believed to have originated in Trier. It is thought to have first appeared under the title “Das altcatholische Triersche Christkindlein.” Possibly the first known record of the original German verses was in a German hymnal (Speierisches Gesangbuch) in Cologne in 1599. However, other records indicate it may have been published as early as 1582 or 1588 in Gebetbuchlein des Frater Conradus. 

The most well known story of the hymn's origin relates how on one Christmas Eve, a monk walking in the woods near Trier found a blooming rose which he later placed in a vase before the alter to the Virgin Mary. While this Catholic hymn with its focus on Mary was thought originally to have had only two verses, as many as twenty-one verses were added by unknown authors. This was done in order to create a ballad telling how Mary, who is compared to the mystical rose praised in the Song of Solomon ("I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys…"), learned she was to be the mother of Jesus. By 1609, however, the Protestants had adopted the hymn, and changed its focus from Mary to Jesus citing Isaiah ("A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse").

The famous composer Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) helped the hymns popularity by harmonizing it. And it his harmonization of the German tune, or adaptations of it, that may be found in most hymnals today.

With all of that said, to me it is Christmas. I need only hear the first few notes and I am transported back to 1962 and the streets of Karlsruhe on a crisp clear December evening. We walked with singleness of purpose for we had been invited to dinner on Heilige Abend (Chistmas Eve.) Our hostess was a diminutive Czech of advanced years and limited means. 
But what little she had she shared joyfully with us. And sitting at her table that evening we were given something money can't buy. I don't remember what the meal consisted of or the details of place settings or linens or any of the material things. What I do remember and what lives in my heart to this day, is how I felt. I felt loved. I remember it now in the form of the most beautiful, perfect Christmas tree standing at the head of the table. Perfect in its symmetry and its illumination. The tip of each branch holding a candle. 

Christ is that tree - the tree of life - and He illuminates my life. 

Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen - words and translation

DEUTSCH
Musik: Köln, 1599
Text: Unbekannt/Anonymous

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen,
aus einer Wurzel zart,
wie uns die Alten sungen,
von Jesse war die Art
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht
mitten im kalten Winter,
wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Das Röslein, das ich meine,
davon Jesaia sagt,
ist Maria die reine
die uns das Blümlein bracht.
Aus Gottes ew'gem Rat
hat sie ein Kind geboren
und blieb ein reine Magd.

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.

ENGLISH (Literal translation of the German)

A rose has sprung up,
from a tender root.
As the old ones sang to us,
Its lineage was from Jesse.
And it has brought forth a floweret
In the middle of the cold winter
Well at half the night.

The rosebud that I mean,
Of which Isaiah told
Is Mary, the pure,
Who brought us the floweret.
At God’s immortal word,
She has borne a child
Remaining a pure maid.

The floweret, so small
That smells so sweet to us
With its clear light
Dispels the darkness.
True man and true God!
He helps us from all trouble,
Saves us from sin and death.

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Snowman

YESTERDAY - As they are about to sink beneath the mud, they are rescued by the Cockle Burr Cowboys. The wanglers, fortunately, work for Melissa and, through them the children speak to the queen again. She is sympathetic and gives them new directions. Leaving the cowboys behind they set out across the Purple Plain toward the Golden Grove, where they are to find the Singing Tree and a further clue. But, horrors, they hear bloodcurdling War whoops. It's Indians!

AND NOW… Episode 19: Confronted by an Angry Witch
The searchers run into a cactus forest as they are chased by Indians. Actually, only one Indian had been in pursuit but Paddy, Crazy Quilt, and the Barton's' imaginations conjured up many, many more. They bribe the Indian into letting them go and continue the search for the Singing Tree. Suddenly, the Wintergreen Witch appears and threatens to turn them all into bullfrogs. First broadcast Friday, December 17, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Wooden Indian

YESTERDAY - As they are about to sink beneath the mud, they are rescued by the Cockle Burr Cowboys. The wanglers, fortunately, work for Melissa and, through them the children speak to the queen again. She is sympathetic and gives them new directions. Leaving the cowboys behind they set out across the Purple Plain toward the Golden Grove, where they are to find the Singing Tree and a further clue. But, horrors, they hear bloodcurdling War whoops. It's Indians!

AND NOW… Episode 19: Confronted by an Angry Witch
The searchers run into a cactus forest as they are chased by Indians. Actually, only one Indian had been in pursuit but Paddy, Crazy Quilt, and the Barton's' imaginations conjured up many, many more. They bribe the Indian into letting them go and continue the search for the Singing Tree. Suddenly, the Wintergreen Witch appears and threatens to turn them all into bullfrogs. First broadcast Friday, December 17, 1937 

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IN DULCI JUBILO (IN SWEET JUBILATION)

“In dulci jubilo” is a so-called “macaronic” song, one which combines Latin and a vernacular language such as German. Today in German there is a Catholic version (with a mixture of Latin and German) and a Protestant version (without any Latin). Interestingly enough generally the Catholic version is performed with four verses and the Protestant with three. Here is presented a compromise. A Catholic version with three verses.

The traditional melody dates from at least 1320

IN DULCI JUBILO (IN SWEET JUBILATION) - words and translation

This traditional carol in Latin and German dates from at least the 14th century. The words may have been written by the German Dominican monk Heinrich Seuse (Henry Suso in English), but that is not an established fact. It is known that Heinrich mentioned this song in his autobiography. Seuse was born in 1295 near Lake Constance and died in Ulm, Germany, in 1366 which may be the reason this carol was so popular in Swabia, but that is also not an established fact - the reason for its popularity not the time and place of his birth and death.

DEUTSCH

Text: Heinrich Seuse,

14. Jahrhundert

In dulci jubilo,*

nun singet und seid froh!

Unsers Herzens Wonne

leit in præsepio

und leuchtet als die Sonne

matris in gremio.

Alpha es et O.

O Jesu parvule,

nach dir ist mir so weh.

Tröst mir mein Gemüte,

o puer optime;

durch alle deine Güte,

o princeps gloriae,

trahe me post te.

Ubi sunt gaudia?

Nirgend mehr denn da,

da die Engel singen

nova cantica

und die Schellen klingen

in regis curia.

Eia, wärn wir da!

O pater caritas

o mater lenitas

wir waren gar verdorben

per nostra crimina:

So hast du uns erworben

coelorum gaudia.

Maria, hilf uns da!

*Latin in italics.

ENGLISH

Words: Henry Suso, 14th century

Literal English prose

translation by Hyde Flippo

In sweet jubilation,

now sing and be joyous!

Our heart’s bliss

rests in a manger

and shines like the sun

in his mother’s lap.

You are the alpha and omega.

O tiny Jesus,

my heart aches for Thee.

Console me in my heart and soul,

o best of boys;

through all your good,

o prince of glory,

draw me to you.

Where are joys?

Nowhere more than there

where angels sing

new songs

and the bells ring

in the courts of the King.

Oh, were we only there!

Oh love of the Father

oh gentleness of the Mother

We were stained

  by our crimes:

thus Thou hast for us acquired

the joys of heaven.

Maria, help us there!

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Cocklebur Cowboys

YESTERDAY - The only way to rescue poor Cinnamon Bear is to use up the only wish allowed them. Wearily Judy, Jimmy, Paddy and Crazy Quilt trudge back to see Melissa for fresh instructions. But they come to a river of mud and the awful Muddlers, who toss our hero's into the quagmire.

AND NOW… Episode 18: Chased by Indians
A group of cowboys ride up and save the foursome. The leader of the cowboys brings Melissa into focus through a looking glass placed in his hat. She hears of the troubles experienced by Paddy, Crazy Quilt, and the children. She tells them to locate a singing tree. They leave the cowboys to search and are surrounded by Indians. First broadcast Thursday, December 16, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Muddlers

YESTERDAY - It turns out that the crocodile is near-sighted, but can 'absorb' the contents of any writing by eating it. He tells them that Melissa's note tells them to go to the Wishing Well. En route, they meet Oliver the Ostrich, a Cockney fellow who loves eating alarm clocks and bacon. Eventually they reach the Wishing Well, but alas, Paddy leans over too far and falls in.

AND NOW… Episode 17: Pelted with Mud
The twins and Crazy Quilt note instructions on the well that they have only one wish. They use it to rescue Paddy. Heading back to Queen Melissa, they are pelted with mud and trapped in oozy, slimy mud by strange creatures called muddlers. They slowly sink. First broadcast Wednesday, December 15, 1937 

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ES WIRD SCHO GLEI DUMPA

"Es wird scho glei dumpa" translates as "the twilight is falling" and is a Christmas song I remember from 1962... my first year in Germany.

Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa - words and translation

DEUTSCH
Dialect version: Anton Reidinger
Traditional melody (Volkweise)

Es wird scho glei dumpa,
es wird scho glei Nacht,
Drum kimm i zu dir her,
mei Heiland auf d'Wacht.
Will singa a Liadl,
dem Liebling dem kloan,
Du mogst ja net schlafa,
i hör die nur woan.

Hei, hei, hei, hei!
Schlaf siaß, herzliabes Kind!

Vergiss hiaz, o Kinderl,
dein Kumma, dei Load,
dass d'dada muaßt leidn
im Stall auf da Hoad.
Es ziern ja die Engerl
dei Liegerstatt aus.
Möcht schöna nit sei drin
an König sei Haus.

Hei, hei, hei, hei!
Schlaf siaß, herzliabes Kind!

Mach zua deine Äugal
in Ruah und in Fried
und gib mir zum Abschied
dein Segn no grad mit!
Dann werd ja mei Schlaferl
so sorgenlos sein,
Dann kann i mi ruahli
aufs Niedalegn freun.

Hei, hei, hei, hei!
Schlaf siaß, herzliabes Kind!

ENGLISH
Literal English prose translation by Hyde Flippo

It will soon be dark,
it will soon be night.
That's why I come to you
my Savior standing guard.
I want to sing a song
to the dear little one,
You don't like to sleep,
I only hear you cry.

Beddy-bye, beddy-bye!
Sleep sweetly, dearest child!

Forget now, oh little child
your worries, your sorrow,
that you must suffer there
in the stall on the heath.
The angels do grace
your cradle.
Couldn't be more beautiful
for a king in his house.

Beddy-bye, beddy-bye!
Sleep sweetly, dearest child!

Close your tiny eyes
in rest and peace
and give me in farewell
only your blessing!
Then my sleep will also
be so free of worry,
Then I can look forward
to lying down.

Beddy-bye, beddy-bye!
Sleep sweetly, dearest child!

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Oliver Ostrich

YESTERDAY - Queen Melissa writes special instructions and seals them in an envelope, telling Judy and Jimmy that they will help them to restore their precious Silver Star. But the instructions can be read only in complete darkness. The Grand Wunky suggests they may find total darkness in the Wishing Woods, and directs them. Just inside the woods, they encounter bathtub singer, Snappersnick, the Crooning Crocodile. The friends are horrified though, when Snappersnick swallows the instructions.

AND NOW… Episode 16: Obstructed by a Deep, Dark Well
The crocodile is friendly and reads the instructions in his stomach after digesting them. The foursome is instructed to head for the Wishing Well, which Judy guesses is where they have to wish that the star be fixed. Arriving at the well, Paddy peers into it, loses his footing, and falls headlong to its deep, dark bottom. First broadcast Tuesday, December 14, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Snapper Stick Crocodile

YESTERDAY - The dragon suggests they go to the castle of Queen Melissa to get help in repairing the star. The Grand Wunky, the royal attendant, ushers them into the presence of the beautiful and kindly queen.

AND NOW… Episode 15: Foiled by a Crocodile
Queen Melissa writes down repair instructions in magic ink, sealing them in an envelope. She directs Paddy, Jimmy and Judy, and Crazy Quilt to read the instructions in total darkness. The quartet heads for the Wishing Woods, which is known to be quite dark. There they meet a crocodile that swallows the envelope. First broadcast Monday, December 13, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Queen Melissa

YESTERDAY - The dragon, however, still manages to toot for help and Fee-Foh arrives to rescue them. He is too large to return with them through the picture frame. However, the four adventurers confront the witch in her home. Not only does the hag refuse to return the star, but she also threatens to use magic to transform them into all manner of horrible things. She is horrified, however, at her own reflection in Judy's pocket mirror, and gives them back the star. The children foolishly let Crazy Quilt put the star in his hip Pocket. And when they return to Maybeland from Obi, the dragon sits down and crushes the ornament to bits.

AND NOW… Episode 14: Helped by Queen Melissa
Crazy Quilt suggests they all go see Queen Melissa of Maybeland who might be able to repair the star. When they reach her, Melissa gives them instructions, requesting their undivided attention. First broadcast Saturday, December 11, 1937 

(Click to play)

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - The Wintergreen Witch

YESTERDAY - The lights are really Crazy Quilt's eyes. The witch has put him in a trance. When they wake him, the three friends learn to their dismay that Wintergreen has stolen the star from Crazy Quilt. Anxious to return to the witch's home, but lost in the woods, Jimmy recalls the whistle given him by Fee-Foh. Three blasts on the whistle will bring the gentle giant to help. But when Crazy Quilt tries, he inhales too deeply and swallows the whistle.

AND NOW… Episode 13: Threatened by a Witch
The Giant has heard the whistle as Crazy Quilt was hiccupping and takes the whole group back to the house. Paddy, Judy, Jimmy, and Crazy Quilt step through the picture frame into the clutches of Wintergreen the Witch. She seals the door and picture, trapping them. They ingeniously escape the witch and retrieve the star. Crazy Quilt takes them back to the mainland and he accidentally sits on the star, breaking it into a dozen pieces. First broadcast Friday, December 10, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Rhyming Rabbit

YESTERDAY - The Giant, Fee-Foh is huge, but gentle and a real friend. He takes Jimmy, Judy and Paddy to the Goody Good Grove where they have an elegant banquet. As night falls suddenly on the Magic Forest, they spot two scary yellow lights in the darkness.

AND NOW… Episode 12: Trapped in a Forest
The lights turn out to be Crazy Quilt's eyes. He explains that some strange force told him to take the silver star to the house where it then disappeared into the forest picture. While walking, the group meet a rhyming rabbit, a bee stings Paddy, and the group becomes terribly lost. They give the Giant's whistle to Crazy Quilt and he accidentally swallows it. First broadcast Thursday, December 9, 1937 (Click to play)

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Fee-Foh the Gentle Giant

YESTERDAY - Paddy, it seems, crossed an invisible boundary line, and so do the children, reuniting the group once again. An educated owl. Professor Whiz tells them that he'd spotted Crazy Quilt run into the nearby home of the feared Wintergreen Witch. They follow but find the home empty, except for a magical picture of a great forest. Stepping through the frame of the Picture into the woods, they meet tiny Fraidy Cat, who in a wee voice tells of a great giant who lives there. The trio and the kitten try to run when the giant approaches.

AND NOW… Episode 11: Scared by Yellow Flashing Lights
The giant is a gentle soul and helps Paddy and Judy and Jimmy find food. He gives them a whistle so they can summon him if danger appears. Suddenly, the forest becomes dark and two yellow lights start flashing, looking just like eyes. First broadcast Wednesday, December 8, 1937 

(Click to play)

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Professor Whiz

YESTERDAY - The pirates give them a small boat to row to shore and then sail off. But a Magic Wave prevents them from getting through the surf. They try again a few hundred feet down the shore and find the water calmer. Landing on the beach they return to find the Roly Poly Policeman, but the star is gone from his chest. The Irish-brogued cop explained that a fellow who said he was a friend of theirs came to collect the star, then ran on up the beach in the opposite direction. From the policeman's description, it could have been none other than Crazy Quilt. Our group follows but as they are running along the sand, Paddy O'Cinnamon disappears.

AND NOW… Episode 10: Approached by a Giant
Paddy reappears. Finally they are all together. They enter a witch's house and walk right through a picture frame into a forest. There they meet Fraidy Cat and begin to tremble as a huge giant comes toward them. First broadcast Tuesday, December 7, 1937

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Roly Poly Policeman

YESTERDAY - Crazy Quilt flees again and the rest of our friends are hustled into the buccaneers longboat and, as prisoners, are taken aboard the anchored pirate ship, the Suzy Q. There they learn from Capt. Taffy that their supposed captors are the Candy Pirates and friendly fellows indeed. The pirates agree to sail to Obi. As they approach the island's shores, they see through a telescope a big Roly Poly Policeman patrolling the beach. And on the lapel of his uniform is pinned their Silver Star.

AND NOW… Episode 9: Upset by a Mysterious Force
On the Island of Obi, Paddy and the twins catch up with the Roly Poly Policeman, whom they had spotted wearing the silver star. Crazy Quilt, who arrived ahead of them, had tricked the policeman into giving him the star. As they start out after Crazy Quilt, a strange force causes Paddy to vanish. First broadcast Monday, December 6, 1937

(Click to play)

THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Candy Pirates

YESTERDAY - Crazy Quilt swims our friends to show to dry out. They meet an incompetent magician, Mr. Presto, who, in demonstrating his magical prowess, mistakenly pulls Penelope from his hat. The angry bird complains that when the magician so rudely summoned her she dropped the star while flying over the Island of Obi. The group looks along the shore for a boat to take them to Obi. They discover, instead, a treasure chest and, moments later, they are surrounded by a band of Pirates.

AND NOW… Episode 8: Befriended by Pirates
The pirates take Judy, Jimmy, and Paddy to their ship, leaving Crazy Quilt behind. The pirates were only looking for candy and agree to take their new passengers to the Island of Obi.
First broadcast Saturday, December 4, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Presto The Magician

YESTERDAY - The Wailing Whale explains in song why it enjoys ill health. Crazy Quilt hits on the idea of tickling the polka-dotted Wesley until he coughs up the star. It works, but the star is, in turn, caught by Samuel the Performing Seal, who insists on Juggling it on his nose. One final toss of the star into the air, however, attracts Penelope the Pelican, who catches the shiny bit in her beak and flies off.

AND NOW… Episode 7: Intrigued by a Treasure Chest
Presto the Magician appears after the travelers once again arrive on dry land. Using magic, Presto locates Penelope and causes her to drop the star on the Island of Obi. Crazy Quilt, Paddy, and the Barton twins locate an old treasure chest. They suddenly find themselves surrounded by pirates.
First broadcast Friday, December 3, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Samuel Seal

YESTERDAY - The execution is delayed when it's discovered that the Royal Executioner is off for the day and his assistant can't recall the exact wording of the ceremony. While the Inkaboos debate what to do, Crazy Quilt returns with the Scissors Soldiers who engage them in battle. In the turmoil, our group escape on the back of the dragon, who swims out to sea and safety. Judy spots the Silver Star floating on the surface of the water, but before they can recover it, the ornament is swallowed by Wesley the Wailing Whale.

AND NOW…Episode 6: Frustrated by a Pelican
After the whale sneezes up the star, Samuel - a playful seal - starts juggling it when a wandering pelican named Penelope snatches it in midair. First broadcast Thursday, December 2, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Weasley Wailing Whale

YESTERDAY - Jimmy, Judy, Paddy and Crazy are approached by a most peculiar group of people. They are the Inkaboos, the blotter people who are a bit touchy about their boundary lines. After a brief struggle, Crazy Quilt escapes but our three friends are made prisoners. They are taken before King Blotto and charged with trespassing, the penalty for which is to be thrown into the Immense Inkwell.

AND NOW… Episode 5: Outwitted by a Polka Dot Whale
Crazy Quilt and a band of scissor soldiers rescue the prisoners. Crazy Quilt, Paddy, Judy, and Jimmy escape to the Root Beer Ocean. They see the star bobbing on the surface. Just as they are about to grab it, a whale swallows it whole. First broadcast Wednesday, December 1, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - The Ikaboos

YESTERDAY - The Stork reappears, apologizing for causing them problems and offering to fly them to the top of the cliffs which overlook the Root Beer Ocean. There they discover Crazy Quilt, with the Star, sound asleep. Awakening him with a Boo, the frightened dragon falls over the cliff into the ocean below. After he swims ashore, the patchwork explains in song why one must “Never Say Boo to a Crazy Quilt Dragon." He apologizes succumbing to the temptation to steal the shiny star. Unfortunately though, he cannot return it because he lost it when he fell into the Root Beer Ocean.

AND NOW… Episode 4: Captured by Ruthless Ink Blotters
Judy, Jimmy, and Paddy are captured by strange creatures called Inkaboos as Crazy Quilt escapes by jumping into the Root Bear Ocean. The twins and Paddy are taken to a vat of ink and threatened with immediate execution. First broadcast Tuesday, November 30, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Crazy Quilt

YESTERDAY - Paddy shows Judy and Jimmy how to de-grow, that is, shrink to his own 4-inch size, so they can fit into his very own special airplane end they set out for Maybeland. Shortly after take off, they are overtaken by the old Stork. Terribly thirsty, the bird taps into the plane's soda pop fuel tank. Out of  'gas,' our adventurers are forced to land at the bottom of Looking Glass Valley, whose sides are so steep that no escape is possible.

AND NOW… Episode 3: Stranded in Looking Glass Valley
Conscience stricken, the stork returns to the hapless trio and flies them out of the valley. They locate a sleeping Crazy Quilt with the silver star at the tip of his nose. Paddy awakens the dragon and a scared Crazy Quilt drops the star into the Root Beer Ocean. First broadcast Monday, November 29, 1937 

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THE CRAZY QUILT DRAGON - Weary Willy

FRIDAY - The Barton twins, Judy and Jimmy discover the silver Star, which goes on the top of their Christmas tree, is missing. It is recalled that Uncle Ned took some of the holiday decorations up to, the attic last year and, after some pleading with Mother, the twins are permitted to go up to search for it. They don't find the star but they do discover a number of other interesting things, including a tiny, 4-inch-tall teddy bear with a green ribbon around his neck. Jimmy looks through an old seaman’s telescope and sees the little bear move. He introduces himself with his own song “I'm the Cinnamon Bear with the Shoe Button eyes.” Paddy O'Cinnamon, for that is his proper name, tells the children their star has been stolen by the Crazy Quilt Dragon and offers to help them get it back.

AND NOW…  Episode 2: Piloted through the Attic Tunnel
Flying though a hole in their attic in a glass airplane fueled by soda pop, Judy, Jimmy, and Paddy head for Maybeland but are stranded at the bottom of Looking Glass Valley by a stork who maliciously drinks all the plane's fuel. First broadcast Saturday, November 27, 1937

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