Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris
| "Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" | |
|---|---|
| Carol | |
| English | "Between the Cow and the Grey Donkey" |
| Genre | Christmas carol |
| Occasion | Christmas |
| Language | French |
| Based on | Isaiah 1:3 |
"Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" ("Between the Ox and the Grey Ass") is a French Christmas carol. One of the oldest extant carols, it has been dated to both the 13th and the 16th centuries.[1]
The supposed presence of the two animals at the birth of Jesus may have its origin in the Book of Isaiah chapter 1 verse 3: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."[2]
Lyrics
Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Entre les deux bras de Marie
Dort, dort, dort le fruit de vie
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Entre les roses et les lys
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Entre les pastoureaux jolis
Dort, dort, Jésus qui sourit
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
En ce beau jour si solennel
Dort, dort, dort l’Emmanuel
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Translation
Between the ox and the gray donkey Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps small son A thousand divine angels, seraphim thousand Fly round about this great god of love.
Between the two arms of Mary Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the fruit of life A thousand divine angels, seraphim thousand Fly round about this great god of love.
Between roses and lilies Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps small son A thousand divine angels, seraphim thousand Fly round about this great god of love.
Between the beautiful shepherd Sleeps, sleeps, Jesus smiling A thousand divine angels, seraphim thousand Fly round about this great god of love.
On this beautiful day so solemn Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps Emmanuel A thousand divine angels, seraphim thousand Fly round about this great god of love.
English version
Between the ox and the grey ass
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the two arms of Mary
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the fruit of life,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the roses and the lilies,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
Amidst the gentle shepherds
Sleeps, sleeps Jesus who smiles,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
On this beautiful, so solemn day
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps Emmanuel,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
Alternate English Version
Here On the Hay
1. Here on the hay by the sheep and ox
Sleeping, tiny lamb of God
Hosts of angels sing to the newborn King
Come to save the world with His perfect love.
2. Joseph and Mary’s hearts beat as one
They hold Him. God’s own precious Son.
Hosts of angels sing to the newborn King
Come to save the world with His perfect love.
3. Star in the night leads the wise to see
Shining on the Prince of Peace
Hosts of angels sing to the newborn King
Come to save the world with His perfect love.
4. Hung by two thieves on a cross of wood
Forgive them, they know not what they do
Earth and heaven weep. They crucified their King
Born to save the world with His perfect love.
References
- ↑ http://www.jolpress.com/christmas-hits-chants-de-noel-love-actually-cantiques-chansons-article-823642.html
- ↑ http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-1-3/
- ↑ http://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Entre_le_b%C5%93uf_et_l%E2%80%99%C3%A2ne_gris
- ↑ Recorded by Mervi Multamäki (Christmas Impressions) Lyrics: Steven Stewart
- ↑ Recorded by Raskasta Joulua (Ragnarok Juletide) Lyrics Steven Stewart
External links
- Arrangements and lyrics
- Partitions de chansons—Free sheet music; a recording