- Un flambeau, Jeannette, 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! Que l’Enfant est beau!
The origins of ‘Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella’ are interesting, and with the advent of google and the internet itself, you can have at it. Something about two farmhands and Christ and, well, you get the idea (even if I didn’t). This song didn’t resonate with me until a few years ago, and not for its lyrics, but for its simple melody. It was supposed to be a song for French nobility, so maybe that’s why it speaks to me. In a previous life it’s almost certain my head was lost at the guillotine. Most days, I’m still paying for it.
- Qui vient là, frappant de la sorte?
- Qui vient là, en frappant comme ça?
- Ouvrez-donc, j’ai posé sur un plat
- De bons gâteaux, qu’ici j’apporte
- Toc! Toc! Ouvrons-nous la porte!
- Toc! Toc! Faisons grand gala!
While I’m printing the French lyrics here, it is the instrumental version that I enjoy most, especially when it’s on some crazy-ass guitar as seen above. What in hell is that thing and how do I play it?! Sign me up for those lessons.
- 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! Il dort à merveille,
- Chut! chut! Voyez comme il dort!
All wacky zaniness aside (it’s way past the expiration date of learning a new instrument), I’m adding this to the Christmas repertoire for seasonal accompaniment to all your merry-making.
