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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