O Tannenbaum: A new translation
Dec. 6th, 2003 01:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
resonantO Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Your song defies translation.
You're always green.
That's too concise.
Perhaps we ought
To sing it twice.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Your song defies translation.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
It just won't work in English.
I like you lots.
That has no grace.
Perhaps it's all
Too Lowercase.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
It just won't work in English.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
I wish I were bilingual.
Perhaps the reason
Why you're sung
Is so I'll learn
A second tongue.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
I wish I were bilingual.
Yes, we bought our tree today, hence the doggerel. I've got a little three-footer that I plan to sneak into the kidlet's room in the night.
Another random observation: Humans may be the only animals who blush, but we're definitely not the only animals who whine. The cat is whining at me even as we speak. I think she senses that the laptop has my lap at just exactly the temperature she likes best.
Your song defies translation.
You're always green.
That's too concise.
Perhaps we ought
To sing it twice.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
Your song defies translation.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
It just won't work in English.
I like you lots.
That has no grace.
Perhaps it's all
Too Lowercase.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
It just won't work in English.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
I wish I were bilingual.
Perhaps the reason
Why you're sung
Is so I'll learn
A second tongue.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,
I wish I were bilingual.
Yes, we bought our tree today, hence the doggerel. I've got a little three-footer that I plan to sneak into the kidlet's room in the night.
Another random observation: Humans may be the only animals who blush, but we're definitely not the only animals who whine. The cat is whining at me even as we speak. I think she senses that the laptop has my lap at just exactly the temperature she likes best.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 12/6/03 07:26 pm (UTC)Also, the warming properties of laptops should be part of the sales pitch, at least in these Northern climes. Mmmmm. Toasty.
(no subject)
Date: 12/6/03 10:42 pm (UTC)*boggles*
I shouldn't be surprised. I'm the one who's about to gift the university library with my extra copy of the Klingon "Hamlet" (don't even ask).
And, this is now my favorite translation of "O Tannenbaum." Possibly my favorite carol ever.
(no subject)
Date: 12/18/03 12:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/18/03 11:57 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/6/03 07:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/7/03 01:13 am (UTC)I have to admit, I usually find English versions of German songs rather strange, but this has to be the best "translation" I've seen.
(no subject)
Date: 12/18/03 11:58 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/7/03 02:43 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/7/03 10:49 am (UTC)Maryland, my Maryland,
How evergreen your branches.
(no subject)
Date: 12/7/03 05:01 pm (UTC)As for your cat - perhaps she's just getting into the Christmas spirit and wants to participate in the lyrical transfiguring? Though, I'm sure (if my calculations are correct) that your cat is into the slightly naughtier side of Christmas carol parodies - so be wary of "**** the red-nosed ****, ****". I've heard it, and you really don't want to know. Ask your cat, and I'm sure she'll deny all knowledge of it. Moshx
(no subject)
Date: 12/18/03 12:02 pm (UTC)Oh, the kitty has a belly as white as the snow,
And she came from Good Hope a long time ago.
And she came from Good Hope our cat for to be,
And the first up in the morning, it was the kitty.
Kitty ... kitty ...
And the first up in the morning, it was the kitty.
The peoples flag...
Date: 12/8/03 02:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 12/11/03 09:33 pm (UTC)