Dis and Dat, or Dut un Dat ‘Unlike the flighty Pommeranians, the old Uckermarkers, they were very solid. Yes, nothing changed with them. Everyting was d’ same, dey hardly talked very much and vhen dey did dey talked like dat you know dey never said much you know. Yes, long […]
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An Account of the German Baptist Church History in Queensland
German Baptist Churches in Queensland This historic account of the German Baptist Churches of Queensland is taken from Queensland Baptist Jubilee Record Volume 1855-1905, (Brisbane: W.R. Smith & Co, 1906) edited by William Higlett (who was well acquainted with and supportive of these churches). It gives a good picture […]
Lockyer ‘Deutsch’ and Strange Words
Dis and Dat, or Dut un Dat ‘Unlike the flighty Pommeranians, the old Uckermarkers, they were very solid. Yes, nothing changed with them. Everyting was d’ same, dey hardly talked very much and vhen dey did dey talked like dat you know dey never said much you know. Yes, long […]
Poem – Meine Mutter, die tut grumbeln
This is a very popular Barossa Deutsch ‘broken language’ poem – recited here by Norm Stiller. The Stiller brothers came to Queensland in 1909 from the Barossa district of South Australia. This ‘broken’ poem illustrates the mixing of English (Australian farm words) into a basic German poem structure. A fine […]
Poem – Nach Bethanien
This German poem originates in the Barossa valley, South Australia. It is spoken in the ‘Barossa Deutsch’ dialect. Norm Stiller of Gulugaba recited it to me. His family travelled from South Australia to Downfall Creek, northwest of Miles in 1909. This poem was a cultural remnant of their earlier pioneering […]
Poem – Max Schafstein performed by Ernie Greinke
Ernie Greinke recited many poems for funcions in the Lockyer Valley. Max Schafstein was one of the favourites – using the German accent and ‘borrowed’ German words for effect. Basically a ‘fun’ poem. [audio:http://germanydownunder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ErnieGreinke_poem_Max_Schafstein1.mp3|titles=ErnieGreinke_poem_Max_Schafstein]
German Song – Trinken immer eine Tropchen
(Recorded Munduberra – 6 November 1992) Performed by Vera Woolf and her brother Alf Kuhn (on guitar) this duo sings the old German favourite Trinken immer eine Tropchen (Have Another Drink). This song was a real favourite throughout the rural German communities of southern Queensland. Press Play for song preview.
Low German Song – sung and played by Archie Niethe, Coominya
This low German song was a popular ‘wedding toast’ song found in the Lockyer Valley and Maryborough areas amongst the German communities. This example is spoken then sung and played on the squeezebox. No mentions of this song in German archives. Perhaps it is a good example of a unique […]
Doug Steffen’s mazurka
This beautiful old-time mazurka was played by Doug Steffens of Gatton. Doug and his brother Allan played for many of the earlier dances in the Lockyer Valley. I have only heard and recorded this very pretty mazurka tune once – that you hear from Doug. Played on the double-row Hohner […]
German Song – Schon Ist Die Jugend
This popular little German song was sung to me by Vera Woolf of Munduberra. Vera learnt this song from the older members of the German community in the central Burnett. Press Play for song preview.
