German Song Lyrics
German Christmas Carols
Rudolph das kleine Rentier
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1)
This popular Christmas song was first recorded and made famous by the American cowboy singer Gene Autry. In 1939, in an effort to attract more holiday shoppers to the Montgomery Ward stores (1872-2001), Robert L. May wrote a narrative poem about an underdog reindeer who saves Christmas one foggy night. The book version proved very popular and the retailer sold millions of copies of the Rudolph story. (Denver Gillen from Ward's art department created Rudolph's image.) In 1949 May's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks (1909-1985), adapted the original words and set them to music. The musical version, first sung by Gene Autry, quickly became a Christmas favorite. Over the years, “Rudolph” has also become popular in other languages, including German. There are several German translations of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and we have three of them here.
By the way, Johnny Marks' lyrics are also responsible for a change in one of the reindeer names invented by Clement Clarke Moore in 1823. See German Myth 5 for more. Also see “White Christmas,” another 20th century Christmas hit popular in German.
Hear the melody for "Rudolph" (midi versions) below.
Text: Robert L. May (1939), Johnny Marks (1949)
Melodie: Johnny Marks, 1949
| DEUTSCH Version 1 "Official" German version Jeder kennt schon die Märchen Und alten Geschichten, Die uns von Feen Und Hexen berichten, Doch neu ist dieses hier, Und darum erzähl' ich sie dir: Rudolph, das kleine Rentier, Jeder bei den Lappen kennt, Denn seine rote Nase Weit und breit wie Feuer brennt. Und alle Tiere lachen, Seht nur seine Nase an. Rudolph ist so verzweifelt, Weil er nichts ändern kann. Doch kurz vor der Weihnachtszeit Kam der Nikolaus. Rudolphs Nase führte ihn Aus dem dunkeln Wald heraus. Er war der Held des Tages, Alle waren stolz und froh, Und man bewundert Rudolph Heute immer noch im Zoo. |
ENGLISH Literal translation (Orig. English lyrics) Everyone knows the fairy tales and old stories that fairies and witches tell us, but this one is new and that's why I'm telling you: Rudolph the tiny reindeer known throughout Lapland because his red nose glows like fire far and wide. All the animals laugh, just look at his nose! Rudolph is so desperate for he can't change anything. But just before Christmas time Nicholas came. Rudolph's nose guided him out of the dark forest. He was the hero of the day, everyone was proud and happy, and people admire Rudolph still today at the zoo. |
Also see the original English lyrics for “Rudolph.”
MORE > German "Rudolph" Lyrics (2)
MORE > German "Rudolph" Lyrics (3)
LISTEN > Melody for "Rudolph" (Midi version 1)
LISTEN > Melody for "Rudolph" (Midi version 2)
MORE > German Christmas Carols
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