Classical Works:
Il est né, le divin enfant (French)
- Date: 1875
- Main Performer: Christmas Traditional
- Genre: Miscellaneous
Review
The melody of this spirited French noel is derived from a hunting-horn call from the time of Louis XV (eighteenth century).The first line of the refrain is on an arpeggiated chord (in G major: lower D, up to G,G,B,G,D,G,G) and the next line proceeds more scalewise (G,G,A,B,C,B,A,G,A,A...or, A,F sharp,D). The third line repeats the first, and the fourth line provides a positive cadence (G,A,B,C,B,A,upper D,G).
The verses repeat the same two phrases to cover all four lines: [phrase 1:] B,C,D,C,B,C,E,D; [phrase 2:] B,C,D,E,D,C,B,B,A. On the repetition, the last B and A notes simply become a sustained A.
(Refrain)
Il est né, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, résonnez, musettes,
Il est né, le divin Enfant,
Chantons tous son avènement.
(English prose translation by this writer)
He is born, the divine child,
Play, oboes! Resound, bagpipes!
He is born, the divine child,
Let us sing of his coming.
(1) Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les prophètes,
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps.
(Refrain)
For more than four thousand years,
The prophets have promised him to us,
For more than four thousand years,
We have waited for this fortunate day.
(Refrain)
(2) 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!
(Refrain)
Ah! How beautiful he is! How charming!
Ah! He is perfect in all his graces!
Ah! How beautiful he is! How charming!
How gentle he is, this divine infant!
(Refrain)
(3) Une étable est son logement,
Un peu de paille est sa couchette,
Une étable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu quel abaissement!
(Refrain)
A cowshed (stable) is his lodging,
A bit of straw is his bedding,
A cowshed (stable) is his lodging,
How humbling for a God!
(Refrain)
(4) Il veut nos coeurs, il les attend,
Il vient en faire la conquête,
Il veut nos coeurs, il les attend,
Qu'ils soient à lui dès ce moment!
(Refrain)
He asks for our hearts, he will wait for them,
He comes to make the conquest,
He asks for our hearts, he will wait for them,
They will be with him from this moment on.
(Refrain)
(5) Partez, ô rois de l'Orient!
Venez vous unir à nos fêtes,
Partez, ô rois de l'Orient!
Venez adorer cet Enfant.
(Refrain)
Depart, oh kings of the orient!
Be united with us in our celebrations,
Depart, oh kings of the orient!
Come adore this child.
(Refrain)
(6) O Jésus! O Roi tout-puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous êtes,
O Jésus! O Roi tout-puissant!
Régnez sur nous entièrement.
(Refrain)
Oh, Jesus! Oh, almighty king!
As a tiny infant you are among us,
Oh, Jesus! Oh, almighty king!
Reign over us completely.
(Refrain) ~ All Music Guide
