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La nuit descend du haut des cieux, Le givre au toit suspend ses franges. Et, dans les airs, le vol des anges Éveille un bruit mystérieux. L'étoile qui guidait les mages, S'arrête enfin dans les nuages, Et fait briller un nimbe d'or Sur la chaumiére où Jésus dort. Alors, ouvrant ses yeux divins, L'enfant couché, dans l'humble crèche, De son berceau de paille fraîche, Sourit aux nobles pélérins. Eux, s'inclinant, lui disent : Sire, Reçois l'encens, l'or et la myrrhe, Et laisse-nous, ô doux Jésus, Baiser le bout de tes pieds nus. Comme eux, ô peuple, incline-toi, Imite leur pieux exemple, Car cette étable, c'est un temple, Et cet enfant sera ton roi !
Text Authorship:
- by Victor Wilder (1835 - 1892) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Gabriel Fauré (1845 - 1924), "Noël", op. 43 no. 1 (1886), published 1886 [ voice and piano ], Éd. Heugel [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Jeanne Emilie Virginie Vignery (1913 - 1974), as Jane Vignery, "Noël" [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Nadal", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (M. Ryan Taylor) , "Noel", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Garrett Medlock) , "Noel", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 112
The night descends from the top of the skies, The white frost on the roof suspends its fringes. And, in the sky, the flight of the angels Awakes a mysterious noise. The star which guided the magi, Stops finally in the clouds, And shines a golden nimbus Round the cottage where Jesus sleeps. Then, opening its divine eyes, The reclining child in the humble crib, A cradle of fresh straw, Smiles to noble the pilgrims. They, being inclined, say to him: Lord, Receive this incense, gold and the myrrh, And let us, oh gentle Jesus, Kiss the end of your naked feet. See how they, oh people, are inclined, Follow their pious example, Because this cattle shed, it is a temple, And this child will be your king!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from French (Français) to English copyright © 2007 by M. Ryan Taylor, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Victor Wilder (1835 - 1892)
This text was added to the website: 2007-07-29
Line count: 20
Word count: 128