'Laterne, Laterne'

Saturday was the Martinszug in our village. Kids gather around with their handmade lanterns (Laterne), walk through the village singing songs, and get a Martinsbrezel at the end.

St. Martin was a Roman Soldier who later became a Monk after being baptized as an adult. The most famous legend of St. Martin states the he was riding his horse through a village in a snowstorm and found a homeless man. St. Martin cuts his coat in half to give to the poor man. Later while St. Martin was sleeping, he had a dream that he saw Jesus wearing the coat he gave to the poor man.

The kids made these lanterns in their German class. kylee has a snail and Wyatt has an apple. They are really proud of them. 

St. Martin on his horse. He rode through the village with the kids.

Kids either carry lanterns or the torches. You can see some young kids in this one carrying torches. I find this highly dangerous. I wonder how many children are injured each year!

St. martin and the bon fire

Enjoying a Martinsbrezel after the walk. These sugary pretzels are delicious! They only make them this time of year. I'll be sad when our Bakery no longer makes them. 

Here are the kids singing a song they learned in German class. They sing this while walking in the Martinszug.

Laterne, Laterne,

My Lantern, my lantern,

Son-ne, Mond und Sterne,

Sun, moon and stars that turn,

brenne auf, mein Licht,

Sh-ine on, my light,

brenne auf, mein Licht,

Sh-ine on, my light,

aber nur meine liebe Laterne nicht.

Please don't let my pret-ty lan-tern burn tonight.