The Child is sleeping

Let’s hop over to France, and specifically to Provence, for today’s piece. Because “Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle” originated there some time in the 17^th Century. It’s all about two farm girls who have found mother and child in the stable, and rush to tell the villagers of their discovery.

I learned this in a French class, and in fact I don’t know the English words. But here’s one translation of the first verse:

Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabelle,

Bring a torch to the cradle, run!

It is Jesus, good folk of the village,

Christ is born and Mary’s calling,

Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the mother!

Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the son!

It goes on to describe a celebratory feast, and to admonish the villagers to hush because the baby’s sleeping.

Très charmant, non?