Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Dank U Sinterklaasje!

The mean old network Grinches have blocked high quality YouTube versions of "The Miracle On 34th Street," an old TV staple around this time of year. I did find my favorite scene of the movie--it's the scene when a young Susie (Natalie Wood) overhears Kris Kringle (Edmund Gween) speaking Dutch to a young orphaned girl from Rotterdam. Susie had been skeptical up to that point, but this scene convinced her of his authenticity.  Gween won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor that year (1947).


The scene is rarely translated (at least when I've seen it, but I haven't seen it lately).
Kris: Hello! I'm glad you came.
Dutch Girl: Oh, you are Santa Claus!
Kris: But of course!
Dutch Girl: I knew, I knew for sure that you would understand!
Kris: Of course, just tell me what you would like to have from Sinterklaus.
Dutch Girl: Nothing, I already have a lot--I only want to be with this nice lady.
Kris: Will you sing a song for me? 
The video rudely cuts off here, but here's the rest, and a translation of the lyrics:


Sinterklaas kapoentje, 
Gooi wat in mijn schoentje, 
Gooi wat in mijn laarsje, 
Dank u, Sinterklaasje. 

Christmas capon,*
Throw something in my shoe,
Throw something in my boot,
Thank you, Sinterklaas.
_______________
*The use of capon is interesting:  According to the Wiki:
In one way or another is the name of Klaas Capon transferred to Christmas capon. That a bishop celibate and no sexual life is like a capon, will have contributed to the association, but more important is probably that "shoe" rhymes with capon.

2 comments:

  1. I would like to extend a few words on the advantages and chemical properties of Strontium Hydroxide Exporters in India.

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  2. @Dear Ms. Hawk: Because your link doesn't work I can't tell if you're a good witch or a bad witch. Regarding strontium, I do hope that you build strong bones: link

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