Jeanette, Isabella - Traditional
Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle
(Hanukkah, the Jewish "Festival of lights," , has strongly influenced the celebration of I Christmas in Provence and other southern European regions.)
Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle,
Un flambeau, courons au berceau!
C'est Jésus, bonnes gens du hameau,
Le Christ est né, Marie appelle,
Ah! Ah! que la mère est belle,
Ah! ah! ah! que l'Enfant est beau!
Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella!
Bring a torch, and quickly run!
Christ is born. Tell the folk of the village
Mary has laid him in a manger.
Ah! Ah! beautiful is the Mother!
Ah! ah! beautiful is her child!
C'est un tort quand l'Enfant sommeille.
C'est un tort de crier si fort.
Taisez-vous. l'un et l'autre, d'abord!
Au moindre bruit, Jésus s'éveille.
Chut! chut! chut! Il dort à merveille,
Chut! chut! chut! voyez comme il dort!
It is wrong when the Baby is sleeping,
It is wrong to speak so loud.
Silence, now as you gather around,
Lest your noise should waken Jesus:
Hush! Hush! see how the Baby slumbers;
Hush! Hush! see how the Baby sleeps!
Doucement, dans l'étable close,
Doucement, venez un moment!
Approchez, que Jésus est charmant!
Comme il est blanc, comme il est rose!
Do! Do! Do! que l'Enfant répose!
Do! Do! Do! qu'll rit en dormant!
Softly now unto the stable,
Softly for a moment come!
Look and see how charming is Jesus,
Look at him there, His cheeks are rosy!
Hush! Hush! see how the Child is sleeping;
Hush! Hush! see how he smiles in dreams!
Traditional (possibly 17th century Provence)