St. Martin's Day/Laternenumzug - The German American School of ...

St. Martin's Day
Every year on November 11, German children celebrate St Martin's Day as the start of Carnival season. In
many regions children walk through the streets singing special songs. Sometimes they perform a little play
with a very specific piece of Martin’s life. It is the story about how he meets a beggar on a cold night and,
because he feels sorry for him, cuts his cloak in half to share it with the beggar. That is the legend of St.
Martin, but who was he really
St. Martin the Roman Soldier Martin was born in 316 a.d. as the son of a Roman Officer in what is now
Hungary. He was raised in Pavia, Italy where he joined the army at age 15 as a soldier and later became an
officer. Even during his military career he was known as a very compassionate man. When, on a cold
winter’s day, he encountered a freezing beggar, he took his sword, split his wide cloak in two and gave the
beggar half. The following night he had a dream where the beggar revealed himself as Jesus Christ. After
this experience he decided to get baptized, left the military service and went to seek the Bishop Hilarus in
the French town of Poitiers, who became his teacher.
St. Martin – The Bishop Because Martin was so compassionate, he was very popular with the people.
They begged him to become Bishop of the town of Tours. A legend tells the story of Martin feeling
unworthy of that honor and hiding out in a goose stall. However, the geese made so much noise that
Martin was found – and as punishment Martin had the geese slaughtered and cooked. That is perhaps the
reason that in some regions people eat a “Martinsgans” “Martinsgoose” on November 11 th . Martin
eventually became Bishop and remained so for nearly 30 years. During that time it is said he healed the sick
and performed numerous miracles. When he died at the age of almost 80, people came from near and far
to attend his funeral – Martin had become famous.
St. Martin – The Saint Martin was bestowed sainthood by the pope and is now the Patron Saint of many
vocations. For vintners, barrel makers, farriers, weavers, Tailors, shepherds, hat makers and mill workers. In
addition he also protects beggars and soldiers – and all pets. But why do you walk around with a lantern on
St. Martin’s Day There could be two reasons:
First: Often people held candle light vigils at Martin’s grave, which could have developed into Lantern
parades. Another origin of the Lantern tradition could be rooted in the yearly routine of farmers: For
people around Martini, around November 11 th , light and fire became more important again. It got dark very
early and the wood stoves were put back into service. In addition, farmers finished tending to their fields in
the beginning of November. As thanks for the harvest, fires were lit on the fields after harvest time.
Children made torches out of straw and paper, or “Trullichter”, which were hollowed out gourds and
pumpkins. Then they made their way through town, asking neighbors for fruit and pastries. That is how the
modern day Lantern parade could have developed.
The Songs There are many songs that the children sing; here is one, with an English translation:
Ich geh' mit meiner Laterne
Und meine Laterne mit mir.
Dort oben leuchten die Sterne,
Hier unten, da leuchten wir.
(Mein Licht ist aus,
Wir gehn nach Haus,
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum.)
I'm walking with my lantern
And my lantern goes with me.
Above the stars are shining,
and we are shining below.
(My light has gone out,
We're going home,
rabimmel, rabammel, rabum)