The Christmas Thieves©Jean-Baptiste Monge. Llnk to ETSY..
A Visit from the Christmas Thieves
CHILDREN! Mind your manners!
Behave your naughty selves
Before you’re paid a visit
By trolls that dress like elves
These nasty, little devilish fiends,
Not employed by Père Noël,
Are much more likely to have come
Straight from the depths of Hell!
They work for the Bogeyman!
The Sackman, le Croque-Mitaine
Viennent direct à vous saisir
Vous causer beaucoup de peine*
Don’t think they are bringing gifts
Or treats, or cakes, or toys
On their minds is just one thing
Fillets of girls and boys!
First they’ll munch your little toes,
They make such nice hors d'oeuvres,
Then sauté your tender limbs
For supper, or preserves
But if the master wants a soup
You just might be puréed
You could be baked into a PIE!
He likes them best homemade
Der Krampus, er hat Hunger
Er riecht den frechen Kleinen
Hör seinen Bauch laut knurren
Und das Klappern seiner Beine!*
Por qué no estás durmiendo?
El Coco puede verte
A la cama ahora mismo!
Buenas noches, buena suerte!*
я скажу, ложитесь спать!
И молоко нужно пить
Бабай сейчас рвётся
под кроватью может быть*
He could send his henchmen
Each one, a lurking thief
Much like a grinch, their purpose
Is to cause your parents grief
If you escape this monster
His cousin might appear
The unholy, ugly Grýla
Could steal your youth and cheer
She might send her evil sons
The Yule Lads carry sacks
Which have much room to carry
Bad children on their backs
If you are good, they’ll stay away
They’ll have no smell or sight
Your chances to see old St. Nick
Just might improve tonight
Then tomorrow, when the sun
Arises from his sleep
You can dive straight to the Tree
To explore your Christmas heap!
Now, OFF TO BED, you little scamps
The witching hour is nigh!
So let your parents tuck you in
And sing a lullaby
***
Theo J. van Joolen©2013
Goya's Que viene el Coco ("Here Comes the Bogeyman / The Bogeyman is Coming") c. 1797
***
I was struck by how international the Christmas Bogeyman tradition is, so I decided to attempt to write a few lines in French, German, Spanish and Russian to show recognition of his international realm...I took some grammatical liberties.
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They work for the Bogeyman!
The Sackman, le Croque-Mitaine Viennent direct à vous saisir Vous causer beaucoup de peine Der Krampus, er hat Hunger Er riecht den frechen Kleinen Hör seinen Bauch laut knurren Und das Klappern seiner Beine!* Por qué no estás durmiendo! El Coco puede verte A la cama ahora mismo! Buenas noches, buena suerte! я скажу, ложитесь спать! И молоко нужно пить Бабай сейчас рвётся под кроватью может быть Transliteration of Russian: Ya skazhu, lozhites' spat'! I moloko nuzhno pit' Babay sejchas ryotsya Pod krovat'yu mozhet byt' |
They work for the Bogeyman!
The Sackman, the bogeyman He is coming directly to seize you And cause you much misery Krampus is hungry He smells the naughty child Listen to his belly loudly rumble And the clatter of his legs! Why are you not sleeping? The Bogeyman can see you Go to bed immediately! Good night, good luck! I tell you, go to bed! And you need to drink your milk The Bogeyman is eager He maybe hiding under the bed |
Grýla. Artist unknown. Link to Wikipedia.
Krampus
Yule Lads
Krampus Cards