Μάμμη ἐπατήθην ὑπ᾽ ἐλάφου
My little contribution to the decline of western civilization:
Μάμμη ἐπατήθην ὑπ᾽ ἐλάφου.
περὶ προτὰς χείμονος ἔβαινεν.
περὶ Ἁγίου Νικολάου ένδιαζεις;
πάππος γε κἀγὼ πιστεύομεν.
I would translate the verses, but that would mean actually studying the lyrics of the song, and I just don’t have the inclination to do that.
If I had the time, however, I think this has the makings of a great Lenaia carol. Perhaps “Grandma Got Run Over by a Maenad”?
Carmina Nativitatis in Lingua Latina!
Laura Gibbs of Bestiaria Latina has rounded up a month’s worth of Latin Christmas carols (and two Hanukkah songs, too!). I’m not just talking about “real” Latin hymns like “Adeste fideles,” “Gaudete,” “Hodie Christus natus est,” etc. She has also compiled Latin versions to more modern carols and holiday songs such as “Deck the Halls” (Aquifolia Ornate), “Silent Night” (Silens nox), and even “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (Avia Renone Calcabatur).