Adoring the Infant King: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

This French carol was not originally intended to be sung at Christmas; it was considered dance music among the French nobility. To this day, on Christmas Eve in the Provence region where the carol originated, children dressed as shepherds and milkmaids carry torches and candles while singing the carol, on their way to Midnight Mass.

Lyrics:
Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run
Christ is born! Tell the folk of the village
Jesus is sleeping in his cradle
Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Mother
Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the son!

Hasten now, good folk of the village
Hasten now the Christ child to see.
You will find him asleep in the manger.
Quietly come and whisper softly
Hush! Hush! Peacefully now he slumbers.
Peacefully now he sleeps.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Prophecies of Christ: Song #3 "Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming"

Image
Section 1 - Prophecies of Christ  Song #3 Lo How a Rose E're Blooming (Es ist ein Ros Entsprungen) Scriptures Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel . 1 Nephi 11:13-31 (condensed) And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that after she had been carried away in the Spirit I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Mosiah 3:8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his m
Read more

Prophecies of Christ: Song #1 "Exultate, Jubilate"

Image
I've organized these songs similar to how I might put together a Ward Christmas program - telling the Christmas story in order with songs, scriptures, and my own experiences with the music. I start with prophecies of Christ, then Gabriel's appearance to Mary, angels appearing to the shepherds in the fields, Christ's birth in humble circumstances, people and animals coming to see the baby, Mary tenderly caring for Jesus, the wise men's visit, and finishing with songs from generations later of those reflecting on what Christ's birth means to them today. Section 1 - Prophecies of Christ "Exultate, Jubilate" While the text of this song was not specifically written for Christmas, it reminded me of the prophecies foretold of Christ's birth. The music is also very joyous, reflecting the joy those ancient prophets encouraged us to feel at the coming of our Savior and Redeemer. " Rejoice, resound with joy, Oh you blessed souls, singing sweet songs.  In res
Read more

Prophecies of Christ: Song #2 "Alleluia" (from "Exultate, Jubilate")

Image
Section 1 - Prophecies of Christ "Exultate, Jubilate" This is the "Alleluia" (God be praised) section from the same motet as the recording I posted yesterday. Here's the info in case you missed it. While the text of this motet was not specifically written for Christmas, it reminded me of the prophecies foretold of Christ's birth. The music is also very joyous, reflecting the joy those ancient prophets encouraged us to feel at the coming of our Savior and Redeemer. Scripture: Mosiah 3:3-5 (condensed) I am come to declare unto you glad tidings of great joy. For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy. For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwel
Read more