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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: maddys52 on Friday 10 June 22 12:00 BST (UK)
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Hello, would it please be possible for someone to translate this verse which I presume is written in German? It is on the back of a photo of a dinner party in 1952 in Basel - so it could be Swiss German (though my grandfather whose photo it was spoke German).
I'm guessing the first line is:
"Yes, yes the wine is good"
and I can see "water" in the last line but the rest is beyond me!
Thanks in advance.
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Hi Maddy,
It's written in Austrian dialect. :)
It is the chorus from a (drinking) song, "Wienerlied" by Franz Gribitz. Your version is written slightly differently, but there are no strict rules for the spelling of spoken dialect. The original goes like this:
Ja, ja, der Wein ist gut,
I brauch kan neuen Hut,
I setz den alten auf,
Bevor i Wasser sauf!
Wo a greans Kranzerl winkt,
Man Wiener Lieder singt,
Hör i der Musi zua
Bis in der Fruah!
Hallo!
And a quick 'n dirty translation:
Yes, yes, the wine is good,
I don't need a new hat,
I'll put on the old one,
Before I drink water!
Where a great Kranzerl beckons,
Viennese songs are sung,
I listen to the music
Till the morning!
Hello!
Kranzerl: A sweet Austrian pastry
https://www.ichkoche.at/linzer-kranzerl-rezept-192316
I am not 100% sure about "greans", though. Maybe someone else can confirm/correct what it means.
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Turn your speakers up! ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6sQvNgT3p4
And sing along:
https://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/Lieder/jajaderw.html
Viel Spaß! ;D ;D ;D
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Thank you so much Karen, that 's wonderful, great to have the tune as well! It certainly looked like a fun party. ;D
If I'm not pushing the limits too much, there are a couple more inscriptions on the back of the photos of the party which I would love to know what they say. I have a couple of postcards that I would like translated as well, but only if possible and you have spare time. Let me know if that would be ok.
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second one:
Bei mir zu Haus
da blüht für dich ein schöner Garten
At my place there's a blooming garden for you...
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first one:
trink, trink, Brüderlein trink,
lass doch die Sorgen zu haus
Drink, drink, little brother of mine, drink,
leave your worries at home
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Sehr gerne! ;D
The first one:
https://www.liederkiste.com/index.php?s=trink-bruederlein-trink&l=de
Drink, drink, little brother, drink,
Leave your worries at home
Second one to follow...
Edit: Zefiro beat me to it! ;D
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Both are songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4R2A2WNO-4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyFQ1K1Ou_c
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Oh thank you so much Zefiro and Karen! Much appreciated. :) As I said - looked like a fun party - though hard to imagine your grandparents in that kind of situation. ;D
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Somebody obviously enjoyed quoting song texts on the photos! ;D
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Here is another photo inscription - hope it's not too much trouble.
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I'll have a look in a mo.
First of all, I have to correct my translation of the first song! :-[ (I had already written that I was not sure about "greans"...)
I asked an Austrian friend of mine about "Wo a greans Kranzerl winkt," and she said "greans" means "green" here. Also, "Kranzerl" can be the baked item I linked, but in this case it is a small "Kranz", i.e. a wreath or garland worn on the head. ??? ::)
I think you have to be Austrian and intoxicated in order to understand what is going on here..! ;D
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;D ;D Thanks Karen, a green wreath on the head probably makes more sense in a drinking song than a great pastry - though I'd probably prefer the pastry!
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The latest one:
We wish you, from the bottom of our hearts, happy (holidays) within the circle of your family and friends,
Your Paul & Elsy
Frohe Festtage is said when there is a (bank/special) holiday period coming up, such as Christmas.
And now I must get the mower out. You get your whatsits chopped off if you use a mower between 13:00-15:00 in Germany! ;)
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Thank you once again! Don't let me keep you from the mowing. ;D
I'm really wondering about the Austrian connection now. My g grandfather wrote on his Australian naturalisation that he was from Cassel. I'm still not certain where my g grandmother was from, somewhere in Germany, though they married in Australia. My grandfather was born in Oz, and I assume his parents spoke German at home. My grandfather worked for a Swiss company (in Australia) and went on this European tour in 1952, travelling around Switzerland with the couple in the photos, though I don't know where they lived or how my grandparents knew them. Perhaps the postcards my help untangle the situation.
Thanks again for all your help, Karen and Zefiro.
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I finished mowing about 13:10. Tut, tut... ;D
The neighbours aren't that sensitive here in the village, thank goodness.
It was only the first snippet that was in Austrian dialect - the others are Hochdeutsch. It could be that it was simply a popular drinking song in Germany and Switzerland, too.
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Thanks Karen, that makes sense. Glad you didn't get in trouble with the neighbours!
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;D ;D Thanks Karen, a green wreath on the head probably makes more sense in a drinking song than a great pastry - though I'd probably prefer the pastry!
Nearly all Pubs in England have a pub sign hanging on the front.
I think this coud be a green garland hanging in front of a wine parlour that sways (winkt) in the wind. Maybe called "Zum Grünen Kranz" or "Krug zum Grünen Kranz"
Wo a greans Kranzerl winkt
Thats where he will go, listen to music and drink wine till early morning
just a thought
Dave
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Sounds very likely, thanks Dave. :D
If it's ok, I'll try to post some postcards for translating tomorrrow?
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I also think Dave's suggestion sounds absolutely plausible.
@maddy: Bring 'em on! ;D
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Here are 3 postcards written to my grandparents (Glad and Bill). Would love to have them translated (and hope there's nothing too personal or embarrassing for anyone !).
Thank you so much. :)
Oh, I have to put them in separate posts apparently.
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Postcard 2
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Postcard 3
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postcard 1
Mürren den 18. Aug. 52
Meine lieben Glad + Bill.
Wir sind hier gut angekommen.
Recht herzlichen Dank für das
Päckli. Es war hier so strahlend
schön als wir ankamen, wie auf
der Karte. Ich und Paul hoffen,
dass Ihr Euch zu hause fühlt an
der Hammerstr: Servietten hat es ins
Sekratär, ich vergass sie, Euch hin zu-
legen. Unsere innigsten Grüsse
und in Gedanken sind wir
viel bei Euch.
Paul u. Elsy
(Hier oben ist es sehr kühl.)
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Mürren, 18th August 1952
My dear Glad and Bill,
we got here safely. Thank you very much for that parcel. It was so beautiful when we arrived here, like on the post card. Paul and I hope
you feel at home in Hammerstreet (Hammerstrasse).
Napkins are in the secretary closet, I forgot to put them ready for you.
Our warmest greetings and in thoughts we are with you.
Paul & Elsy
Up here it's very cool.
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One word I can't read. Doubt about the translation of the sentence I highlighted.
postcard 2
Mürren den 21. Aug. 52
Liebe Glad und Bill.
Herzlichen Dank für die lieben
Briefe. Ich habe sehr gelacht über
Ihren Brief, aber vor Freude. Ich
hoffe dass Sie nicht zu kalt haben
zu Hause. Fr. Schuler wäre schon so
lieb und täte anfeuern. Machen Sie
sich 's gemütlich. Wir haben hier
geheizt, es ist nur 5 Grad hier. So
wie auf dem Bild liegt Mürren
auf einem hohen Felsen, und hat
heute geschneit bis tief ...
Meine innigsten Grüsse, Paul + Elsy.
Mürren, 21st August 1952
Dear Glad and Bill.
Many thanks for the sweet letter. I laughed a lot about your letter, but with joy. I hope it's not too cold at home.
Mrs. Schuler has been so kind to put the heating on. Make yourself comfortable. We have heated here, it's only 5 degrees here. As in the picture, Mürren is situated on a high rock and it has
snowed today...
My warmest greetings, Paul & Elsy.
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postcard 3
Mürren 28. Aug.52
Liebe Glad und Bill!
Wir sitzen gerade hier auf dieser
Alpweide zuoberst (wie auf dem Bild).
Die Alpenkette ist wunderbar, und es ist
hier sehr still, nur von weit her hört
man die Kuhschellen und ab und zu eine
Lawine herunterollen. Richtig Ferien
und dazu noch das wundervolle
Wetter. Wir denken sehr viel an Euch,
und stellen uns vor, wenn Ihr hier
wäret, was Ihr alles sehen müsst.
Mit den allerherzlichsten Grüssen,
Eure Paul und Elsy
wünschen Euch von Herzen einen schönen
Sonntag.
Murren, 28th August 1952
Dear Glad and Bill!
We are sitting right here on this alpine meadow at the top (as in the picture). The Alps are wonderful, and it is very quiet here, only from far away you can hear the cowbells, and now and then an avalanche. True holidays and with the wonderful weather as a bonus. We think of you a lot and imagine all you'd have to see if you were here.
With the warmest regards,
Your Paul and Elsy,
wishing you a nice Sunday.
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Good work, Zefiro!
I had a lot of work today and didn't have time to check by here earlier.
One word I can't read. Doubt about the translation of the sentence I highlighted.
Ich
hoffe dass Sie nicht zu kalt haben
zu Hause. Fr. Schuler wäre schon so
lieb und täte anfeuern. Machen Sie
sich 's gemütlich.
I hope it's not too cold at home.
Mrs. Schuler has been so kind to put the heating on. Make yourself comfortable. We have heated here, it's only 5 degrees here.
This is rather beautifully old-fashioned. My hubby likes to construct comments using "täte" ("Das täte mir gefallen" :))), so I think what this sentence is actually saying is that Mrs Schuler would be happy to light the fire/get the heating going*, should they wish her to do so.
*(Without more detail, it is difficult to know whether they are talking about an open fire or a boiler.)
Edit:
Just noticed the missing word bit. I think it could be "bis tief hinunter".
(= down to a low level, down into the low ground)
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Hello,
Just a little thing. Sekretär - Schreibtisch - desk. One of the old fashioned ones.
Regards Peonie
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Just noticed the missing word bit. I think it could be "bis tief hinunter".
(= down to a low level, down into the low ground)
Thanks Karen for your comment regarding täte.
About hinunter: this was my initial reading.
But looking closer I saw a problem.
You can try to solve this by counting the vertical strokes (very useful in older German writings (Kurrent!)). If the first letter is h and the last three are ter, then we're left with 6 strokes. We need 7 to write inun...
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About hinunter: this was my initial reading.
But looking closer I saw a problem.
You can try to solve this by counting the vertical strokes (very useful in older German writings (Kurrent!)). If the first letter is h and the last three are ter, then we're left with 6 strokes. We need 7 to write inun...
I noticed that, too, but I can't see what else it could be. In a word which looks like a test to see if a pen still works ;), it is easy to miss a stroke. The rest of her handwriting is very careful, I have to admit, but there are here & there a couple of tiddly slips and corrections.
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Thank you so much Zefiro, Karen and Peonie! I can't tell you how happy I am to have the translations. :D
So it would seem my grandparents stayed at a place in Hammer St, possibly the location of the dinner party photos, and possibly Paul and Elsie's place. I know the 4 of them travelled on a tour of Switzerland together beginning on 4 August 1952 and I guess by the 18th they had gone to separate destinations. The farewell party was on 20 September. I wonder how they knew each other, possibly through work as my grandfather worked for a Swiss company in Australia.
So great to add to the picture I'm building up of my grandparent's holiday.
Thank you all once again!
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So it would seem my grandparents stayed at a place in Hammer St, possibly the location of the dinner party photos, and possibly Paul and Elsie's place. I know the 4 of them travelled on a tour of Switzerland together beginning on 4 August 1952 and I guess by the 18th they had gone to separate destinations. The farewell party was on 20 September. I wonder how they knew each other, possibly through work as my grandfather worked for a Swiss company in Australia.
It's nice when things start to come together, isn't it? :)
The cards are addressed to Mr & Mrs Smith b. Paul Weiss. "b." = bei = (in this case) c/o.
The cards are signed by Paul & Elsy, so I would assume (can be dangerous, I know ;D) that this Paul is Paul Weiss and that the house in the Hammer Str. is the Weiss home. It sounds as though they (Paul & Elsy) are on holiday and have given the house to your grandparents for a while.
That would explain a) the address details and b) the bit about the napkins.
Interesting is that the cards are all written in the formal "Sie" form, not "per Du". Maybe they were indeed work colleagues or knew each other through work at least.
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Thanks again Karen, I think you're probably right. :)
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Hello my dear German speaking RootsChatters, I have found another postcard from Paul and Elsy to my grandparents and would love to have it translated - if it's not too much trouble please - you've all been so kind and helpful! This one from quite a few years later - 1961.
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Flims den 21. III 61
Meine lieben Glad u(nd) Bill
Aus Flims wo wir zurzeit
in den Winterferien sind
herzliche Grüsse. Wir sind
hier 8 Tage in einer gemüt-
lichen Ferienwohnung. Es
schneit heute gerade den ganzen
Tag und man kann sich so
richtig ausruhen, u(nd) schreiben.
Am Abend in der warmen Stube
bei einem Glas Wein u(nd) Cherio.
Herzlich grüsst Euch Elsy u(nd) Paul aus Basel
Flims, 21st March 1961
My dear Glad & Bill,
Kind regards from Flims where we're currently passing the winter holidays. We're staying here for 8 days in a cosy holiday home.
It's been snowing the whole day, ideal for resting/relaxing and writing.
In the evening in the warm living room with a glass of wine, cheerio!
Kind regards from Basel, your Elsy & Paul.
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Thank you so very much Zefiro - you're a champion!
I'm wondering is writing "III" common for "March"? Is it Roman numerals, and just for the months? Or is it perhaps just a Paul and Elsy quirk?
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I'm wondering is writing "III" common for "March"? Is it Roman numerals, and just for the months? Or is it perhaps just a Paul and Elsy quirk?
I've seen the use of Roman numerals before, and it was just for the months. I can't tell you how widespread this was, but it isn't something Paul & Elsy 'invented'.
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Thanks Zefiro, I have had a quick google today and discovered that it was quite common over Europe to write the month in Roman numerals, and whilst some still do so now, it became less common during the 20th Century. Interesting - I have never been aware of it before. :D