“Heidschi Bumbeidschi” by Heintje – Lyrics

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A German Christmas Carol in German and English

Heintje’s “Heidschi Bumbeidschi”
Music & Lyrics: Volksweise (traditional)

The very first question that most Germans and non-Germans alike ask about this song is: What does “heidschi bumbeidschi bum bum” mean? The simple answer is that it is nothing more than a nonsense phrase designed to sing children to sleep. In Austrian German, heidigehen means to go to sleep. As early as 1819 a song entitled “Haidl Bubaidl” appeared in an Austrian song book, labeled as a Kinderschlaflied (children’s lullaby). But Heintje’s “Heidschi Bumbeidschi” may or may not have anything to do with that song. The author of the lyrics is unknown. The melody’s composer is also a mystery, but the music dates back to around 1900 in the Böhmerwald (Bohemian Forest).

Heintje in 1970

Heintje in 1970. See more about him below. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

Although the origins of the song are somewhat uncertain, it is widely believed to have originated in the 1700s as a so-called Wiegenlied (“cradle song,” lullaby) in southern Bohemia, then part of Austria. It became widely known in Austria after it was published with additional verses in 1905. The original lyrics are in Austrian dialect.

Is “Heidschi Bumbeidschi” a Christmas song? Other than one line about angels, the lyrics seem to have nothing to do with Christmas. The song is about a poor child whose mother has abandoned him! The rather sad and depressing lyrics don’t really fit into the idea of Christmas cheer. Nevertheless, somehow the song has become a German Christmas tradition.

Although the song was made popular in Germany by a young Dutch singer named Heintje, it has since been covered by many other artists in German and other languages. But the classic version remains the one by Heintje. For more about Heintje, plus a video version of this song see below.

“Heidschi Bumbeidschi”
“Heidschi Bumbeidschi”
Deutsch (German) English
Music/Words: Traditional (Austria) Literal English translation – HF
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi, es schlafen
am Himmel die Schäflein, die braven.
Sie ziehen dahin an dem himmlischen Zelt,
vergessen den Schmerz und den Kummer
der Welt.
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi bum bum
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi bum bum		 But Heidschi Bumbeidschi sleeping
in heaven are the little sheep, the good ones.
They fly along the heavenly canopy
(and) forget the pain and suffering
of the world.
But Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
But Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi, wirst sehen,
wie schnell alle Sorgen vergehen.
Und bist du auch einsam und bist du allein,
bald schau’n ja die Engel zum Fenster herein.
Singen Heidschi Bumbeitschi bum bum
Singen Heidschi Bumbeitschi bum bum		 But Heidschi Bumbeidschi, you’ll see
how quickly all worries vanish.
And if you are also alone and lonely,
soon the angels will look through the window.
Singing Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
Singing Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi, schlaf lange
und ist auch dein’ Mutter gegangen.*
Und ist sie gegangen und kehrt nicht mehr heim.
Und lässt ihr klein’s Bübchen so ganz allein.
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi bum bum
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi bum bum
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi bum bum
Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi bum bum		 But Heidschi Bumbeidschi, sleep long
and if your mother has gone away
and if she has gone and won’t come back
and leaves her little boy all alone.
But Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
But Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
But Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
But Heidschi Bumbeidschi boom boom
*Some versions have “die Mutter” rather than “dein(e) Mutter” (“the/your mother”).
BACK > German Christmas Carol Lyrics
WEB: “Heidschi Bumbeidschi” – Quellen und Überlieferung (in German with sources and dialect lyrics, de.wikipedia)

About The Artist: Heintje

This song was one of several hit songs made popular in Germany in the late 1960s by a young singer named Heintje. Germany’s biggest pop star at that time was born in the Netherlands. At a time when the Beatles were still releasing recordings in German, another “foreigner,” the Dutch-born Heintje, was taking the German pop charts by storm. Heintje’s first and biggest hit of all time was “Mama,” released in October 1967.

Born Hendrik Nikolaas Theodoor “Hein” Simons on August 12, 1955 in the Dutch town of Kerkrade-Bleijerheide, the boy who would later be known as Heintje showed an early interest in music and singing. In 1966, aged 11, Heintje won a talent contest in the Netherlands and was discovered by the Dutch manager Addy Kleijngeld. That same year Heintje cut his first records in Amsterdam – in Dutch. A short time later the German version of “Mama” became a big hit in Germany. On the charts for 53 weeks, “Mama” was originally written in 1941 by the Berlin composer Bruno Balz for the German film Mutter.

For four or five years Heintje enjoyed huge success, primarily in the German-speaking market. He recorded songs in several languages, including English. His movie career was limited to a number of forgettable German films. Although many people find the Schnulzen (schmaltzy tear-jerker songs) by Heintje to be overly sentimental and extremely trite, the young singer sold over 40 million records and had one platinum and 40 gold records. He earned numerous awards, including two Golden Lions from Radio Luxembourg and a Bambi, the German “Oscar.”

When his voice changed at 16, Heintje’s career pretty much came to an end. Several comeback attempts were only moderately successful. The fame he had as a young man never returned. Today (as Hein Simons) he is still singing, but mostly in the field of traditional music. He can be seen on German television from time to time. Hein Simons now lives in Belgium.

VIDEO 1: “Heidschi Bumbeidschi” – Heintje (1968)

VIDEO 2: “Heidschi Bumbeidschi” – Film clip: Ein Herz geht auf Reisen, 1969

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