Advent Calendar – 9th December – Il est né
Merry Christmas!
Danielle and Dave’s Advent Calendar, 2021
9th December, 2021
Il est Né
Traditional French carol arranged specially for this Advent Calendar
Although a traditional carol, the music was first published in 1862 by Jean-Romain Grosjean, organist of the Cathedral of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. The fact that it was in a book called Airs des Noëls Lorrains suggests that it comes from the Lorraine region in north eastern France.
In this book it is cited as ‘Ancien air de chasse’ and is very similar to an old hunting tune from Normandy called ‘Tête bizarde’. The editors of The Shorter New Oxford Book of Carols suggest that the tune may have been from as late as the the 18th century written in a rustic style.
The words were first published in 1875-6 in Dom G. Legeay’s Noêls anciens.
This has gone on to become one of the most popular French Christmas carols.
I make no apologies for more bell like sounds in the harp part – after all, Christmas is all about celebration and what better way for a traditional church to celebrate than to ring its bells?
Chorus: Il est né le divin enfant,
Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes !
Il est né le divin enfant,
Chantons tous son avènement !
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les prophètes
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Chorus
Ah ! Qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant !
Ah ! que ses grâces sont parfaites !
Ah ! Qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant !
Qu’il est doux ce divin enfant ! Chorus
Une étable est son logement
Un peu de paille est sa couchette,
Une étable est son logement
Pour un dieu quel abaissement ! Chorus
Partez, grands rois de l’Orient !
Venez vous unir à nos fêtes
Partez, grands rois de l’Orient !
Venez adorer cet enfant ! Chorus
Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend :
Il est là pour faire leur conquête
Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend :
Donnons-les lui donc promptement ! Chorus
O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant
Tout petit enfant que vous êtes,
O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant,
Régnez sur nous entièrement ! Chorus
Chorus: He is born, the Heav’nly Child,
Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding.
He is born, the Heav’nly Child,
Let all sing His nativity.
‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Prophets have foretold His coming.
‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Have we waited this happy hour. Chorus
Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
What perfection is His graces.
Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
Child divine, so gentle there. Chorus
In a stable lodged is He,
Straw is all He has for cradle.
In a stable lodged is He,
Oh how great humility! Chorus
Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Though a little babe You come here.
Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Rule o’er us from this glad hour. Chorus
Translation Edward Bliss Reed (1930)
Recorded on David Concert Harp
Guitar: Gibson ES137
https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/NonEnglish/il_est_ne.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il_est_né,_le_divin_Enfant