Zie Ginds Komt de Stoomboot
Kirsten Kerkhof wrote the following...
"In the Netherlands, Christmas is not as important for children as Sint Nicolaas (5 December). It's on this day that children get their presents, instead of on Christmas Day. Sint Nicolaas is the patron saint of children. He is said to come from Spain, although the real Sint Nicolaas came from what is now Turkey."
Zie Ginds Komt de Stoomboot
Look, There is the Steamboat
St. Nicholas Day Song
St. Nicholas Day Song
(Dutch)
(English)
Zie ginds komt de stoomboot,
Uit Spanje weer aan.
Hij brengt on Sint Nicolaas,
Ik zie hem al staan.
Hoe huppelt zijn paardje,
Het dek op en neer,
Hoe waaien de wimpels,
Al heen en al weer.
Zijn knecht staat de lachen,
Hij roept ons reeds toe.
Wie zoet is krijgt lekkers,
Wie stout is, de roe.
Oh, lieve Sint Nicolaas,
Kom ook toch bij mij,
En rijd toch niet stilletjes,
Ons huisje voorbij.
Look there is the steamboat
From far-away Spain.
It brings us Saint Nicholas,
I can see him, waving.
His horse is a-prancing
On deck up and down,
The banners are waving,
In village and town.
His servant is laughing
And tells everyone,
The good kids get candy,
The bad ones get none.
Oh, dearest Saint Nicholas,
If Pete* and you would,
Just visit our house,
For we all have been good.
Notes
*This is referring to Zwarte Piet, who is St. Nicolas's helper in the Netherlands. It's thought he's black because he crawled down the chimney and got covered in soot. The character is very controversial in the Netherlands. Many feel it's very racist, but others feel it's part of the Sinterklaas tradition and don't think it's meant to be negative. You can read more about Zwart Piet here.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Kirsten Kerkhof for contributing this song and for her helpful comments.
Image: Schenkman Book Illustrations (circa 1885)
Dank u wel!
