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Christmas in the Austrian Alps

Part 2









St. Nicolas Eve



On December the  5th, with excitement at its peak,

St. Nicolas of Myra, the bishop, called Saint Nick

Goes around with his ugly peer this special night

To visit good children that don't brawl and fight

Do not confuse Saint Nicolas  with  Santa Claus,

The kind bishop of Myra had no bulbeous nose.



Attired in the traditional  fancy array

They roam the streets or a snowy alpine way,

The illustrous bishop - and his unholy peer,

The cleft-footed Krampus, with tail, who inspires great fear;

This Evil One has a switch and rattles a chain,

And when all is quiet they peek through a window pane.



The panes are veiled, but pious parents are certain

A saint can pass through window panes and curtain;

These two pace the streets, going from house to house;

St. Nick brings goodies, the “Krampus” deals quick blows,

Believers know this full well, whether rich or poor

And expect any time three taps on the front room door.







St. Nick asks the parents: ”Have the children been good?

Or did they have a brawl at school and booed

Mrs. Fingerle, or thumbed yet again their nose

At Freddy and Fanny, and put a frog in the sauce?"

At this the Krampus brandishes switch and stick,

But is stopped in his track by merciful Saint Nick.







The children stammer and stutter  confessing their sins:

“Matthew pilfered my  cookies and jelly beans;

And  Charlie bit into Gretchen’s cruller and  apple;

And pulled - o dear! -on her beautiful tress in the chapel

From a pew behind he sneaked up and pulled on her tress

While Father Klunkelschupfer said solemn mass.!”



And Hans, who had picked with Franz and John a fight

Must two times as penance the “Our Father” recite.

Now the Krampus ducks and squeals and wails like a pig,

But is exorcised on the spot by glorious St. Nick,

Who entreats the children forthwith to take great care,

And for the Christ Kind’s coming to prepare.



The Saint, - for kissing - now offers his bishop’s ring

Then opens the sack, chock-full of many a good thing;

He blesses the children and fastens his miter more tight-

To soon disappear in the dusky wintry night.

O loitering heedless Tourist, pray take care!

Show respect and reverence when you meet this pair.



In a busy street,  or lonely snow- covered path;

Do not stir up the springs of Krampus’ wrath! -

Both walk long distances through snow and sleet,

And on their mission often get wet feet,-

The citizens, who hold them very dear,

Thrill, when at dusk the two at last appear.

O Tourist!-, rouse your heart, have faith,- believe!

When you meet this prodigious pair on Saint Nicolas’ Eve.



by: Elizabeth Dandy