Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

"Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" (French: Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle) is a Christmas carol which originated from the Provence region of France in the 17th century. The song is usually notated in 3/8 time.

The carol was first published in France, and was subsequently translated into English in the 18th century. The song was originally not meant for Christmas; it was considered dance music for French nobility.

History

The carol first appeared in print in 1688 with the Provençal text Venès lèu, Vèire la piéucello; Venès lèu, Genti pastourèu![1] in a collection of twelve Provençal noëls by Nicolas Saboly.[2] The popularity of the melody is attested by its use four years later by Marc-Antoine Charpentier for the drinking song, Qu'ils sont doux, bouteille jolie in a 1672 revival of Molière's Le médecin malgré lui.[3]

To this day on Christmas Eve in Provence, children dress as shepherds and milkmaids, bringing torches and candles while singing the carol on their way to Midnight Mass.

Lyrics

The characters "Jeannette" and "Isabelle/Isabella" are two female farmhands who have found the Baby Jesus and his mother Mary in a stable. Excited by this discovery, they run to a nearby village to tell the inhabitants, who rush to see the new arrivals. Visitors to the stable are urged to keep their voices quiet, so the newborn can enjoy his dreams.

English
Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!
Bring a torch to the stable call![lower-alpha 1]
Christ is born, tell the folk of the village:[lower-alpha 2]
Jesus[lower-alpha 3] is born, and Mary's calling.
Ah![lower-alpha 4] Ah! Beautiful is the Mother!
Ah! Ah! Beautiful is her Son![lower-alpha 5]
Who is that, knocking on the door?
Who is it, knocking like that?
Open up, we've arranged on a platter
Lovely cakes that we have brought here
Knock! Knock! Open the door for us!
Knock! Knock! Let's celebrate!
It is wrong when the Child is sleeping,
It is wrong to talk so loud.
Silence, now,[lower-alpha 6] as you gather around,
Lest your noise should waken Jesus.
Hush! Hush! See how He slumbers;
Hush! Hush! See how fast He sleeps!
Softly now unto the stable,
Softly for a moment come!
Look and see how charming is Jesus,
Look at Him there,[lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 8] His cheeks are rosy!
Hush! Hush! See how the Child is sleeping;
Hush! Hush! See how He smiles in His dreams!
French
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!
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!
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!
Doucement, dans l'étable close,
Doucement, venez un moment!
Approchez! Que Jésus est charmant!
Comme il est blanc! Comme il est rose!
Do! Do! Que l'Enfant repose!
Do! Do! Qu'il rit en dormant! [4]
  1. The words "cradle run" are sometimes substituted for "stable call".
  2. The words It is Jesus, good folk of the village are sometimes substituted for Christ is born, tell the folk of the village.
  3. The word Christ is sometimes substituted for Jesus
  4. The word Hark! or Hush is sometimes substituted for Ah!.
  5. The word Child is sometimes substituted for Son.
  6. The word all is sometimes substituted for now.
  7. "How he is white" is a more accurate translation of the French, "Comme il est blanc!".
  8. The words "See how he smiles, oh," are sometimes substituted for "Look at Him there".

References
  • Morgan, Robert J. (2003-11-30). "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle". A Pocket Paper. The Donelson Fellowship. Archived from the original on 2004-01-24. Retrieved 2006-07-13.
  1. Micoulau Saboly; François Marie César Seguin (1856). Recueil des noëls composés en langue provençale. Fr. Seguin. p. 17.
  2. Micoulau Saboly; François Marie César Seguin (1856). Recueil des noëls composés en langue provençale. Fr. Seguin. pp. xxxix.
  3. Centre de musique baroque de Versailles (2005). Marc-Antoine Charpentier: un musicien retrouvé. Editions Mardaga. p. 124. ISBN 978-2-87009-887-5.
  4. French lyrics from: Giunco, Marco. "Jeanette, Isabelle - Traditional". Fast Folk Musical Magazine - October '86 - Season'S Greetings. marcogiunco.com. Archived from the original on 2005-03-12. Retrieved 2006-07-13. apparently typed in by Marco Giunco from the lyrics sheets in the magazine given above.
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