Tuesday, December 10, 2013

December 11


Le Message des Anges
performed by the vocal ensemble "Le Petit Sablon"

Les anges dans nos campagnes 
Ont entonné l´hymne des cieux, 
Et l´écho de nos montagnes 
Redit ce chant mélodieux : 
Gloria in excelsis Deo 

 Bergers, pour qui cette fête? 
Quel est l´objet de tous ces chants? 
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête 
Mérite ces cris triomphants : 
Gloria in excelsis Deo 

 Ils annoncent la naissance 
Du libérateur d´Israël 
Et pleins de reconnaissance 
Chantent en ce jour solennel : 
Gloria in excelsis Deo

 Cherchons tous l´heureux village 
Qui l´a vu naître sous ses toits 
Offrons-lui le tendre hommage 
Et de nos cœurs et de nos voix : 
Gloria in excelsis Deo 

 Bergers, quittez vos retraites, 
Unissez-vous à leurs concerts, 
Et que vos tendres musettes 
Fassent retenir les airs : 
Gloria in excelsis Deo

This traditional seventeenth century French carol originates from the Languedoc Region, and has gone by many titles, including "Échos de Bethléem", "J'entends là-bas dans la plaine", and "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes".  It was published in Paris in 1842, and was likely introduced to French Canada at about that same time.  The English version of the carol was translated in 1862 by James Chadwick, who was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, in the north-east of England.  Because "Angels We Have Heard on High" became popular so quickly in that area, it is often referred to as a "Cornish" carol, as described by R. R. Chope, and featured in Pickard-Cambridge's Collection of Dorset Carols.


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