Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

This piece is a French Provençal carol by Émile Blémont.  

The song is based on a French tune that dates back to the 1400’s.  It was originally written as a dance tune for the nobles.  The lyrics to ‘Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella’ come from the Provence region of France.  After the song was published in a book of Christmas carols in 1553, it began to be associated with the Christmas holiday.  The first English version came in the mid-1700’s.

The lyrics tell the story of two shepherdesses, named Jeanette and Isabella, who find the baby Jesus in the stable.  The two young girls are urged to bring torches and rush back to the village to tell the wonderful news. 

History seems to credit this story to a nativity painting by Georges de La Tour, a renowned French painter.  In his painting there are two young milkmaids who come to the stable to milk the cows.  Jeanette and Isabella are the milkmaids and they are so excited to find the baby Jesus that they rush back to their village to share the news. 

Today, torches remain a Christmas tradition in Provence.  Children dress up as shepherds and milkmaids They carry torches and candles to Midnight Mass while singing this carol.

Here is a version of the lyrics that I found in English and in French.

      English                                                          French

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!                  Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle 

Bring a torch to the stable call!                    Un flambeau! Courons au berceau!

Christ is born, tell the folk of the village:   C'est Jésus, bonnes gens du hameau.

Jesus is born, and Mary's calling.                 Le Christ est né; Marie appelle!

Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Mother!                    Ah! Ah! Que la Mère est belle,

Ah! Ah! Beautiful is her Son!                          Ah! Ah! Que l'Enfant est beau!

Who is that, knocking on the door?           Qui vient là, frappant de la sorte?

Who is it, knocking like that?                      Qui vient là, en frappant comme ça?

Open up, we've arranged on a platter        Ouvrez-donc, j'ai posé sur un plat

Lovely cakes that we have brought here   De bons gâteaux, qu'ici j'apporte

Knock! Knock! Open the door for us!          Toc! Toc! Ouvrons-nous la porte!

Knock! Knock! Let's celebrate!                      Toc! Toc! Faisons grand gala!

It is wrong when the Child is sleeping,       C'est un tort, quand l'Enfant sommeille,

It is wrong to talk so loud.                             C'est un tort de crier si fort.

Silence, now, as you gather around,            Taisez-vous, l'un et l'autre, d'abord!

Lest your noise should waken Jesus.           Au moindre bruit, Jésus s'éveille.

Hush! Hush! See how He slumbers;              Chut! chut! Il dort à merveille,

Hush! Hush! See how fast He sleeps!            Chut! chut! Voyez comme il dort!

Softly now unto the stable,                             Doucement, dans l'étable close,

Softly, for a moment come!                            Doucement, venez un moment!

Look and see how charming is Jesus,          Approchez! Que Jésus est charmant!

Look at Him there, His cheeks are rosy!       Comme il est blanc! Comme il est rose!

Hush! Hush! See how the Child is sleeping;            Do! Do! Que l'Enfant repose!

Hush! Hush! See how He smiles in His dreams!      Do! Do! Qu'il rit en dormant!

I trust you learned something new about this French Carol.  Have a great day everyone.

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