(The translation of the verses is not mine. Hopefully is as close as the original)
Ladies and Gentlemen
Without any more preambles
Please welcome
The thirteen Jólasveinar!
Stekkjarstaur December 12
The first of them was Sheep-Cote Clod.
He came stiff as wood,
to prey upon the farmer's sheep
as far as he could.
He wished to suck the ewes,
but it was no accident
he couldn't; he had stiff knees
- not to convenient.
The first one is known also as "Stiffy legs" because he has sticks instead of feet. His passion is to harass sheep. This character loves milk and cookies.
Giljagaur December 13
The second was Gully Gawk,
gray his head and mien.
He snuck into the cow barn
from his craggy ravine.
Hiding in the stalls,
he would steal the milk, while
the milkmaid gave the cowherd
a meaningful smile.
"Gully Gawk" has a hobby for hiding behind the ravines to steal milk from the stables. He likes that children offer him milk, candy and meat.
Stúfur December 14
Stubby was the third called,
a stunted little man,
who watched for every chance
to whisk off a pan.
And scurrying away with it,
he scraped off the bits
that stuck to the bottom
and brims - his favorites.
"Stubby" is short in height and likes to steal the pans that are within his reach. He likes cookies, meat, cheese, and skyr (an Icelandic dairy product).
Þvörusleikir December 15
The fourth was Spoon Licker;
like spindle he was thin.
He felt himself in clover
when the cook wasn't in.
Then stepping up, he grappled
the stirring spoon with glee,
holding it with both hands
for it was slippery.
"Spoon Licker" likes to steal long-handled wooden spoons to lick them. He likes vegetables, milk and obviously, spoons.
Pottaskefill December 16
Pot Scraper, the fifth one,
was a funny sort of chap.
When kids were given scrapings,
he'd come to the door and tap.
And they would rush to see
if there really was a guest.
Then he hurried to the pot
and had a scraping fest.
The fifth on the list is "Pot Licker" (or better translated Scraper) who likes to steal the leftover food from pots and pans. He enjoys cookies, milk and sweets.
Askasleikir December 17
Bowl Licker, the sixth one,
was shockingly ill bred.
From underneath the bedsteads
he stuck his ugly head.
And when the bowls were left
to be licked by dog or cat,
he snatched them for himself
- he was sure good at that!
“Bowl licker” hides under beds to steal a type of bowl left there (which I suppose were stored there?). If you want to please this guy, leave him some skyr, cookies or milk.
Hurðaskellir December 18
The seventh was Door Slammer,
a sorry, vulgar chap:
When people in the twilight
would take a little nap,
he was happy as a lark
with the havoc he could wreak,
slamming doors and hearing
the hinges on them squeak.
“Door Slammer” likes to do that, going around slamming on doors during the night so you cannot sleep. Cheese, milk and meat are his favorite foods.
Skyrgámur December 19
Skyr Gobbler, the eighth,
was an awful stupid bloke.
He lambasted the skyr tub
till the lid on it broke.
Then he stood there gobbling
- his greed was well known -
until, about to burst,
he would bleat, howl and groan.
"Skyr Gobbler" likes this typical dairy product of the island. In addition to skyr, you can delight him with cheese or milk.
Bjúgnakrækir December 20
The ninth was Sausage Swiper,
a shifty pilferer.
He climbed up to the rafters
and raided food from there.
Sitting on a crossbeam
in soot and in smoke,
he fed himself on sausage
fit for gentle folk.
The "Sausage Swiper" walks through the beams of the houses to steal the sausages. It should be clarified that in ancient times, Icelanders smoked meat to preserve it, and hanged them on the beams, that is why this thief hides there. You can spoil him by giving him cheese, meat and cookies.
Gluggagægir December 21
The tenth was Window Peeper,
a weird little twit,
who stepped up to the window
and stole a peek through it.
And whatever was inside
to which his eye was drawn,
he most likely attempted
to take later on.
From the outside of your home, the “ Window Pepper" checks the things he wants to steal from when you aren’t around. You can please him with pancakes and milk.
Gáttaþefur December 22
Eleventh was Door Sniffer,
a doltish lad and gross.
He never got a cold, yet had
a huge, sensitive nose.
He caught the scent of lace bread
while leagues away still
and ran toward it weightless
as wind over dale and hill.
“Door sniffer” has a prodigious nose with which he detects leaf bread (laufabrauð), a type of Icelandic bread that is usually served at Christmas. In addition to leaf bread, he likes cookies and sweets.
Ketkrókur December 23
Meat Hook, the twelfth one,
his talent would display
as soon as he arrived
on Saint Thorlak's Day.
He snagged himself a morsel
of meet of any sort,
although his hook at times was
a tiny bit short.
"Meat hook" was named like this because he uses this instrument to steal meat. He does not go fooling around, he likes to get meat.
Kertasníkir December 24
The thirteenth was Candle Beggar
- ‘twas cold, I believe,
if he was not the last
of the lot on Christmas Eve.
He trailed after the little ones
who, like happy sprites,
ran about the farm with
their fine tallow lights.
According to the polls, this is the Icelanders favorite, because he is the most generous of them all. "Candle Beggar" likes to steal tallow candles, as these are edible. Candles, meat and cookies are the favorite treats for the last of the Santas.
