Saint Martin's Day in Holland (1)

St. Martin's Day in
the Netherlands
November 11th

by Gregory

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ST MARTIN'S DAY IN HOLLAND

Saint Martin's Day, November 11th, is a celebration in Holland very much like "trick-or-treat" in England and the US . People in Holland go around getting treats by ringing on some doorbells singing songs for which they are given sweets or tangerines. They go around with lanterns and here is one the songs they sing:

Elf November is de dag,
Dat mijn lichtje,
Dat mijn lichtje.
Elf November is de dag,
Dat mijn lichtje branden mag.

Words to Sint Maarten Song

Sint Maarten, Sint Maarten,
De koeien hebben staarten,
De meisjes hebben rokjes aan,
Daar komt Sint Martinus aan!

Words to Sint Maarten Song

WHO WAS ST MARTIN?

This is the story of why we celebrate Saint Martin. It was a dark and stormy night. Martin was quite alone on that dark stormy night. He only had a cloak and a singular piece of bread. He was returning home when suddenly a poor and homeless man appeared in the darkness. Martin felt pity for the man and gave him half his piece of bread, and half his cloak and offered him hospitality in his home. Now he is called St Martin and is known for his kindness to the stranger. That is why we celebrate Saint Martin's Day.

Martin met a poor homeless man
on his journey home and
offered him food & hospitality.

Page created: Tuesday, 26-January-99 19:05:55 EST