Christmas East of the Berlin Wall

Vas da nacht before Christmas as da old shtory goes
ven little Hans Mitvoch shtood on his toes
staring up at the sky the full moon made so clear
in fear that old Santa vould nicht come hier.
Hans knew his haus vas east of da vall,
but still he prayed Santa vould come after all.
The old yellow moon and the stars up so high
vatched da tired little boy fall asleep by and by.
Soon Mama Mitvoch came to her son
and carried him to bed…his long vigil done.
A tear trickled slowly down her sad vinkled face
as she tucked Hans into bed and put the pillow in place.
She vas sad for da sorrow that morning vould call
ven Hans vould learn Santa vas stopped by the vall.
But, at that very moment, many miles avay
Santa vas approaching Berlin in his sleigh.
He had made all his stops on the vest side of town
now he was headed east to continue his rounds.
He saw an East German guard at Checkpoint Charlie
so he got out of da sleigh for to make mit da parley.
Ven da guard saw old Santa he quickly snapped to
and said, “Guten Abend, mein Herr, do you vish to pass thru?”
“Ya!  Iss dat time of year again you know.
My verk here is done, so to Moscow I go.”
Then Santa drove on into East Berlin
laughing so hard he shook without and within.
“Vat a dumkopf!” Santa laughed as he drove,
“That  guard thought me a Comrade in my bright red clothes.”
The dawning came gaily on light dancing feet
awakening the children Christmas morning to greet.
Hans sprang from his bed mit nary a thought
0nly hoping to  find a toy  Santa had brought.
He found presents all around in glittering splendor
needing just a child’s touch to bless the sender.

It is the joyous peals of children’ laughter
that makes jolly old Santa live ever after.
This merry old elf has no restrictions it seems
for his limits are the boundaries of childhood dreams.
Neither barbed wire nor walls can keep him away,
now, “Merry Christmas to all!” is all I will say.