December 11

Le Message des Anges

performed by the vocal ensemble "Le Petit Sablon"

Les anges dans nos campagnes 

Ont entonné l´hymne des cieux, 

Et l´écho de nos montagnes 

Redit ce chant mélodieux : 

Gloria in excelsis Deo 

 Bergers, pour qui cette fête? 

Quel est l´objet de tous ces chants? 

Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête 

Mérite ces cris triomphants : 

Gloria in excelsis Deo 

 Ils annoncent la naissance 

Du libérateur d´Israël 

Et pleins de reconnaissance 

Chantent en ce jour solennel : 

Gloria in excelsis Deo

 Cherchons tous l´heureux village 

Qui l´a vu naître sous ses toits 

Offrons-lui le tendre hommage 

Et de nos cœurs et de nos voix : 

Gloria in excelsis Deo 

 Bergers, quittez vos retraites, 

Unissez-vous à leurs concerts, 

Et que vos tendres musettes 

Fassent retenir les airs : 

Gloria in excelsis Deo

This traditional seventeenth century French carol originates from the Languedoc Region, and has gone by many titles, including "Échos de Bethléem", "J'entends là-bas dans la plaine", and "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes".  It was published in Paris in 1842, and was likely introduced to French Canada at about that same time.  The English version of the carol was translated in 1862 by James Chadwick, who was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, in the north-east of England.  Because "Angels We Have Heard on High" became popular so quickly in that area, it is often referred to as a "Cornish" carol, as described by R. R. Chope, and featured in Pickard-Cambridge's Collection of Dorset Carols.