A Soldier’s Night Before Christmas in Spanish: How to Say It
Introduction
When it comes to celebrating Christmas, cultural diversity enriches our festivities. For Spanish-speaking communities, a beloved holiday tradition is the reading of “A Soldier’s Night Before Christmas.” This heartwarming poem encapsulates the soldiers’ spirit during the holiday season. In this article, we will guide you through the translation and pronunciation of this cherished poem, allowing you to share this touching story with Spanish-speaking friends and family.
The Translation
Translating the poem into Spanish is a beautiful way to showcase the cultural bond that exists between different countries. Here is the translation of “A Soldier’s Night Before Christmas” into Spanish:
“Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
‘Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!’
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.”
Pronunciation
Now that we have the translation, let’s break down the pronunciation of some key phrases:
– “Not a creature was stirring” -> “Ninguna criatura se movía” [nee-ngoo-nah kree-ah-too-rah seh moh-vee-ah]
– “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care” -> “Las medias fueron colgadas con cuidado en la chimenea” [lahs meh-dee-ahs foo-eh-ron kohl-gah-dahs kohn kwee-dah-doh ehn lah chee-meh-neh-ah]
Remember to take your time and practice the pronunciation to ensure you convey the sentiment and rhythm of the poem effectively.
Conclusion
Sharing “A Soldier’s Night Before Christmas” in Spanish is a heartfelt way to celebrate the holiday season with Spanish-speaking communities. By providing the translation and pronunciation of this beloved poem, we hope you can join in the cultural exchange and spread the joy and spirit of Christmas in multiple languages.
A Christmas Visit Cartoon
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