Schnitzelbank

The Schnitzelbank is a simple song, popular most with Americans of German descent.

German meaning

Schnitzelbank literally means "scrap bench" or "chip bench" (from Schnitzel "scraps / cips / cuttings (from carving)" or the colloquial verb schnitzeln "to make scraps / to carving" and Bank "bench"), in English known as a shaving horse. It is a woodworking tool used in Germany prior to the industrial revolution. It was in regular use in colonial New England, and in the Appalachian region until early in the 20th century; it is still in use by specialist artisans today. In America it is known as a shaving horse. It uses the mechanical advantage of a foot-operated lever to securely clamp the object to be carved. The shaving horse is used in combination with the draw knife or spokeshave to cut down green or seasoned wood, to accomplish jobs such as handling an ax; creating wooden rakes, hay forks, walking sticks etc. The shaving horse was used by various trades from farmer to basketmaker and wheelwright. This word is like the Bank feminine and takes the article "die".

A Schnitzelbank is also a short rhyming verse or song with humorous content. This use of the word is mainly used in Switzerland and south-western Germany, it is a constituting element of the Fasnacht celebrations in the city of Basel, there also written Schnitzelbangg. This word is masculine and takes the article "der". Schnitzelbänke (pl.) are also sung at weddings and other festivities. The Schitzelbänkler, the persons who sings this songs, are single persons or small groups and often it is accompanied with some instruments. Mostly the Schnitzelbänkler show before or to the specific verses Helgen, posters which introduce in the subject, but do not tell the punchline.

Song

A German-language ditty for children "The Schnitzelbank Song" is popular among German Americans with an interest in learning or teaching German to their offspring. It is often sung by adults for entertainment and nostalgia.

Cary Grant, Joan Bennett, and Gene Lockhart sing a version of the song in the 1936 film Wedding Present. Later, Joan Bennett's character uses the tune to the song to mock Cary Grant's character for his hypocritical behavior after being promoted.

Another version is included in Billy Wilder's 1953 film Stalag 17. American POWs sing it during a volleyball game to distract guards from spotting a contraband radio antenna hidden in the net.

In 1957, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded a rock and roll version called "Rockin' Rollin' Schnitzelbank" for their album, Rockin' Around the World.

In 1994 Steven Spielberg's popular cartoon show Animaniacs used the song in one of its cartoon sketches. In it, the Warner siblings (Yakko, Wakko, and Dot) learn the song (known in the episode as the "international friendship song") from German Professor Otto Von Schnitzelpusskrankengescheitmeyer.

Comedian Mel Blanc recorded a novelty Christmas song in the 1950s, "Yah Das Ist Ein Christmas Tree", which borrows the tune and concept. This was itself parodied by singer/comedian Joel Kopischke in 2005 as "Stupid Christmas Song".

The Dutch Country troubadour, Percy Einsig, recorded a popular rendition of "Schnitzelbank" at Up-Town Records, Reading, PA. He was also made famous in the PA Dutch area for his song entitled "The Ford Machine"

Further reading

• William D. Keel: A German-American Cultural Icon: O, du schöne Schnitzelbank, in Yearbook of German-American studies, Society for German American Studies, 38th Ed., 2003, pp. 221–236
• Stewart Eastman: A Schnitzelbank Stein - about the history, January 2010

External links

• Is das net die Hobelbank, one German version today