Füf Ängeli, die hei gsunge
This finger play is also done in Germany and Austria.
Füf Ängeli, die hei gsunge
Five Little Angels Have Sung
Finger Play
Finger Play
(Swiss German)
(English)
Füf Ängeli, die hei gsunge,
füf Ängeli chöme gsprunge.
Ds erschte blast es Füürli a,
ds zwöite stellt es Pfänneli dra,
ds dritte rüert es Päppeli ii,
ds vierte tuet brav Zucker drii,
ds füfte seit: I richte a,
iss, mi chliine Hanselimaa*.
Five little angels have sung,
Five little angels come jumping.
The first blows on the little fire,
The second puts the little pan on it,
The third pours a little soup in it,
The fourth puts good sugar in it,
The fifth says, "It's ready,
Eat, my little gnome."
Notes
*Hanselimaa is a regional name for the human-shaped cake eaten on St. Nicholas' Day (Dec. 6th). According to the site "enzyklo.de", Hanselimaa is also the word for house spirits tied to a household. They can't be chased unless someone mocks their work. Then they leave the house but they'll curse the mocker forever.
Another Spelling of Rhyme:
Feuf Engeli händ gsunge
Feuf Engeli chömed gsprunge
´s erst blast es Fürli a
´s zweit stell es Pfänndli dra
´s dritt rüert es Päppeli i
´s viert tuet brav Zucker dri
´s feuft seit: I richte-n-a
Iß, min liebe Hansilima.
Game Instructions
First the child wiggles all five fingers. Then they show the thumb, then the forefinger, the middle finger, the ring finger and the pinkie at the end.
On "I richte a, iss, mi chliine Hanselimaa", they wave their hand.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Monique Palomares.
