# Badly translated Christmas songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874 "2022-12-01T18:29:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/1 "2022-12-01T18:29:56Z")
This was a December tradition on the now defunct Snopes message board, so I am going to attempt to revive it here. Take a Christmas song and paste it into Google Translate, or Bing Translate, or whatever your favorite online translator is. Translate it into another language, then take the result and translate that to a third language, and repeat until you think it’s gotten sufficiently garbled, then translate it back to English. Past the result in this thread. Here is my first submission – Jingle Bells, translated from English to Romanian to Japanese to Norwegian to Greek to English. they slide in the snow by horse-drawn sleigh in the fields we go to keep on smiling The bobtail bell rings to light up my heart how fun it is to drive and sing Sleigh Song Tonight Oh! jingle bells, jingle bells it always rings oh so much fun to drive Open a sled, hey! jingle bells, jingle bells it always rings oh so much fun to drive by horse-drawn sleigh the earth is white now go while you’re young get the girl tonight Let’s sing this song in a sleigh take bay leaves 240 for speed Tie him to an open sled and you take the lead Oh jingle bells, jingle bells it always rings oh so much fun to drive Open a sled, hey! jingle bells, jingle bells it always rings oh so much fun to drive by horse-drawn sleigh oh so much fun to drive In an open sleigh with horses! ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/2 "2022-12-01T18:46:34Z")
They’re getting better with this auto-translate stuff. _O Holy Night_ English → Arabic → Spanish → Estonian → Dutch → English Oh fateful night, the stars shine bright, This is the night the precious Savior was born. Long the world lay groaning in injustice and error, Until it appeared and the soul felt its value. A glimmer of hope that revives a weary world, For a glorious new morning is dawning; Fall on your knees, listen to the voice of the angel! O divine night! Oh the night Christ was born. Oh night, oh holy night, oh divine night. quietly guided by the light of faith; We stand in the cradle of glowing hearts: Therefore, gently guided by the light of a bright star, Wise men from the East come here, So the King of Kings was in a humble manger, In all our troubles we were born to be our friend. He knows our needs, for our weakness is no stranger to him! Look, yours! Bow down to him the humble! Look, yours! it is yours! bow kiss! He really taught us to love each other. His law is love and the peace of the gospel. The chains are broken, for the slave is our brother, And in his name abolish all iniquity. Sweet songs of joy in a thankful chorus uplift us; May each of us praise his holy name! Christ is then always Lord! Always rate us! Proclaim his power and glory forever! Proclaim his power and glory forever! ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/3 "2022-12-01T18:56:36Z")
Here’s _Go Tell It On The Mountain_ from English to Finnish to Polish to Italian to Japanese and back to English: Together, Together Okay and everywhere Together, Together The Birth of Yeske Christ While the sheep are watching, According to Shizuka What is Mure It’s all in paradise here. In the midst of all this, the light of light The sheep were horrified and shocked. When the Chikyu is broken ABCDBunrui This is what I gave you. Yes, much better translation. I remember looking into it professionally about 30 years ago, and it was much easier to get rubbish. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/4 "2022-12-01T19:01:45Z")
Malinda Katherine Reese has an amazing voice and her videos are really fun to watch. Here’s her Google Translate mangled version of [the Christmas Song](https://youtu.be/iJZ_clXh3Xc) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/5 "2022-12-02T02:00:21Z")
_Christmas Shoes_. From English to German to Russian to Hebrew to Japanese to English. > Christmas was approaching when I got in another line to buy my last gift. It wasn’t in the spirit of Christmas. There was a little boy in front of me, and he had to pay. When I didn’t, I thought I heard what he said Doctor, I want to buy these shoes for my mom Her size…has been sick for quite some time and i think these shoes will make her smile and i want her to look cute when mama sees jesus tonight. He fumbled in his pockets, turned around and looked at me, said my mother was spending Christmas at our house. I put in the money I needed to help. I will never forget the look on his face when he said, “Your mom is so cool, I want to buy these shoes for you. Today is Christmas.” By Eve, these shoes are her actual size. Hurry up Daddy says he doesn’t have time See, she’s been sick for a long time I know these shoes will make her smile And when Mama sees Jesus tonight Make her visible I want to buy these shoes for my mother Please bend down These shoes are just her size Make her smile like when Mama met Jesus tonight , I want her to look beautiful. Actually…not that bad? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/6 "2022-12-02T02:45:46Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Actually…not that bad? Atrocious. But no worse than the original. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/7 "2022-12-02T03:13:21Z")
“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” English \> French \> Russian \> Japanese \> Latin \> English This is starting to look like Christmas. wherever you go Watch 5 and 10, it shines again Lollipops and a silver leg of the road This is starting to look like Christmas. Plenty of toys for each other But the most beautiful sight is the saint. at my threshold Hop while booting and shooting the arrow Bernie and Ben’s Wish talking and walking doll Hope Janice and Jen Mom and dad don’t have to wait for school again ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/8 "2022-12-03T14:47:28Z")
The Polish version of _JIngle Bells_ begins _Dzwon Dzwon Dzwon_ _Dzwon Dzwon Dzwon_ Which is just _Bell Bell Bell_ _Bell Bell Bell_ This has always bothered me. You’d think they’d put a little more creativity into it. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/9 "2022-12-03T15:06:05Z")
Taking the cue from the previous post, though I won’t repeat it if @WildaBeast considers it outside the scope of the thread, here’s the first verse and chorus of the most common (only?) Norwegian version of Jinglebell google translated to English. Not so much garbled grammar, but some context inappropriate word choices that I find makes it amusing. > Chime, chime > Above forest and hello. > Listen to the cheerful sound of the bell > When Blakken sets off. > > Follow us out, follow us out > Over bog and bog > Where the road winds > In the forest adventure. > > Come now and join us at the stables, you’ll see > That Blakken will be so happy when we leave > Then we take the pram out and put the harness on > And Blakken purrs happily at you > Hu-Hey, where to go! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/10 "2022-12-03T15:10:10Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > The Birth of Yeske Christ Did Kayne change his name again? Christmas Don’t Be Late English\>German\>Arabic\>Spanish\>English it’s alright squirrel Are you ready to sing your song? I will say we Yes, let’s sing now! Is Simon okay? Yes Well Theodore? Yes Well Alvin? Alwyn? Alwyn! Yes! Christmas, the holiday season is coming It’s time to play and party We were good but we can’t go on Hurry up Christmas, hurry up, hurry up We want a plane going around the circuit. I want a hula hoop we can hardly wait Please Christmas, don’t be late Alright guys get ready That was very good, Simon. Naturally! Very good Theodore Ho Ho Ho Oh Alvin, I was a little upset Listen, uh, Alvin… Alvin? Alvin! Yes Hula Hoop survives Arabic intact? I’m impressed. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/11 "2022-12-03T20:05:01Z")
_Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)_\* Latin-\>Ukrainian-\>Sanskrit-\>Malayalam-\>English Go forth, faithful, contented, and victorious. Come, come to Bethlehem. Here was born the king of angels; Let us come and worship Let us come and worship Let us come and worship Master! God from God is light from light They carry the girl’s bowels. The true God, begotten, not made; Now a choir of angels sings The heavenly palace now sings: Glory to God! So he who was born on this day Glory to you, Jesus. The Word of the Eternal Father made flesh; And leaving the sheep under the shepherd’s care. They called the shepherds. We will leap to the level of singing; Eternal Light of the Eternal Father, We can see him covering the bottom of his body. The infant God is enveloped; And to us, the poor, and those who lie on the grass, Let us embrace the devotees. So who doesn’t buy us? The star was their guide, the wise men who adored Christ, They give off a golden aroma and sulphur. We give our hearts to the baby Jesus; \*Not **that** Ye. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/12 "2022-12-07T09:41:50Z")
This Lee Mendelson / Vince Guaraldi song is still rather regognisable (English → Russian → Gaelic → Scots Gaelic → Welsh → English) Christmas is here Happiness and joy Congratulations to everyone who called the patch The time of year is one with them A cloud of snow in the sky Carol her everywhere Old time and rhymes Her love and her dreams Sleigh bells in the sky Beauty is everywhere Christmas by the fire And happy memories there Christmas is here A family is coming From here you will be seen forever Such spirit during the year Sleigh bells in the sky Beauty is everywhere Christmas by the fire And happy memories there Christmas is here A family is coming From here you will be seen forever Such spirit during the year ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/badly-translated-christmas-songs/975874/13 "2022-12-10T00:34:29Z")
English\>Russian\>Hebrew\>Latin\>Japanese\>Chinese\>English bells, the smell of batman robin egg Batmobile lost its wheels clown is gone Basic syntax, the meaning of the song, most of the verbs - all gone But the word Batmobile survives! Behold the power of American pop culture.