Roy Black's Version of "Jingle Bells" in German

Learn How to Sing the Popular German Christmas Carol

Kids singing carols near the christmas tree — Imgorthand / Getty Images

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Updated on February 19, 2020

There are several versions of “Jingle Bells” in German, but Roy Black's 1968 rendition has become a German Christmas standard. The melody of this popular Christmas carol is the same as it is in English yet it is not a direct translation. In fact, the German song title translates to "A little white snowman."

Whether you are a student of the German language or simply wish to fill your home with a classic German carol over the holidays, this is a fun song to learn.

"Ein Kleiner weißer Schneemann" Lyrics

“Jingle Bells” in German
Melodie: "Jingle Bells" - Volksweise (traditional)
Deutsche Version: Werner Twardy (1926-1977)

By Ingrid Bauer

This German version of "Jingle Bells" was written by the composer Werner Twardy for German pop singer, Roy Black, who recorded it in 1968. Twardy wrote many songs for Black over his career, including many Christmas songs. One might compare Black and his holiday songs to the American Bing Crosby.

As you look at the English translation, you will notice that the lyrics are not like those we are familiar with. There is no "Dashing through the snow" or "Laughing all the way." Instead, the German lyrics feature a snowman who invites us on a sleigh ride through the woods.

You will also notice that Twardy does not translate "Jingle Bells." If he had, it would be something like 'klimpern Glocken.' The song's German title, "Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann" actually translates to "A little white snowman."

"Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann" Lyrics	Direct Translation by Hyde Flippo
Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann der steht vor meiner Tür, ein kleiner weißer Schneemann der stand gestern noch nicht hier, und neben dran der Schlitten, der lädt uns beide ein, zur aller ersten Schlittenfahrt ins Märchenland hinein.	A little white snowman that stands before my door, a little white snowman that wasn't here yesterday, and next to him the sleigh that invites both of us for the very first ride into a fairytale land.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Schön ist eine Schlittenfahrt im Winter wenn es schneit. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Mach' mit mir 'ne Schneeballschlacht, der Winter steht bereit!	Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, it rings out far and wide. A sleigh ride is nice in winter when it snows. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, it rings out far and wide. Let's have a snowball fight, winter stands ready!
Er kam auf leisen Sohlen ganz über Nacht, hat heimlich und verstohlen den ersten Schnee gebracht.	He came with soft footsteps quite overnight, quietly and secretly he brought the first snow.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Hell erstrahlt die ganze Welt im weißen, weißen Kleid. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit. Christkind geht durch den Winterwald, denn bald ist Weihnachtszeit.	Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, it rings out far and wide. Brightly sparkles the whole world in a white, white costume. Jingle bells, jingle bells, it rings out far and wide. Kris Kringle's going through the winter forest, for soon it'll be Christmas time.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, klingt es weit und breit...	Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, it rings out far and wide...

The German lyrics are provided for educational use only. No infringement of copyright is implied or intended. The literal, prose translations of the original German lyrics by Hyde Flippo.

Who was Roy Black?

Roy Black (born Gerhard Höllerich, 1943-1991) began his career as a pop singer in the mid-1960s with his first big hit song “Ganz in Weiß” (All in White). By 1967, he appeared in the first of several films he eventually made.

Born in a small town near Augsburg in Bavaria, Black's life was filled with personal and professional problems, despite his hit records and movies. After a brief comeback in a German TV series in 1990, he died of heart failure in October 1991.

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Flippo, Hyde. "Roy Black's Version of "Jingle Bells" in German." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/roy-blacks-jingle-bells-in-german-4076261. Flippo, Hyde. (2020, August 28). Roy Black's Version of "Jingle Bells" in German. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/roy-blacks-jingle-bells-in-german-4076261 Flippo, Hyde. "Roy Black's Version of "Jingle Bells" in German." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/roy-blacks-jingle-bells-in-german-4076261 (accessed April 18, 2024).