Pennsylvania-Dutch Love Poem

Vos is des ding as mich so fershtroyed

Uns macht mich so liecht-kebich

My gedanka sin fatsuttled; net oof dei orbiet

Un auft bin ich dobich un lobich

Von du neagsht fabigh mich laffsht

Udda von du tighte navich mich schlaffsht

Ich fraug fa nix mehna fuun dich

Yischt es du mich net falausht

Bis de Gott im Himmel ruft

un Err cummt fa dich uttah mich

Gealt kon net kauffa vos liebe em gebbt

Un meah sin net orm binannah

Shtoft is yischt shtoft; es harcht em net aub

Un es glebbet vee so alte kannah

Liebe hault em froh un frei

Gott hault uns naegsht debigh

Meah sin bessah oub vee de reichah

Von meah net fagessah

Fah Gott bedanka

Un anannah yischt immah gliechah

Translation…

What is this thing that scatters me so

And makes me so light-headed

My thoughts are scrambled; not on my work

And often I am clumsy and crazy

When you closely walk by me

Or sleep tightly beside me

I ask for nothing more from you

Just that you will not leave me

Until God in Heaven calls

And He comes for you or me

Money cannot buy what love gives

And we are not poor together

Stuff is just stuff; it will not listen

And it clatters like old tin cans

Love keeps us glad and free

God keeps us close to Him

We are better off than rich folk

If we do not forget

To give God thanks

And always just love each other

© Janet Martin