Day 6 - The Huron Carol [Canada]
The Huron Carol (or Twas in the Moon of Wintertime) is Canada's oldest Christmas song. It was probably written in 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary living among the Hurons at Sainte-Marie, Canada. Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in the native language of the Huron/Wyandot people - the song's original Huron title is Jesous Ahatonhia (Jesus, he is born). The melody used for the carol is based on the traditional French folk song, Une Jeune Pucelle (A Young Maid). The well-known English lyrics were written in 1926 by Jesse Edgar Middleton. The English version of the hymn uses imagery familiar to those living in the early 20th century, in place of the traditional Nativity story. This version is derived from Brébeuf's original song and Huron religious concepts. In the English version, Jesus is born in a "lodge of broken bark" and wrapped in a "robe of rabbit skin." He is surrounded by hunters instead of shepherds, and the Magi are portrayed as "chiefs from afar" who bring him "fox and beaver pelts" instead of the more familiar gold, frankincense and myrrh. The English translation uses a traditional Algonquian name, Gitchi Manitou, for God, which is not in the original Wyandot version. The original lyrics are now sometimes modified to use imagery accessible to Christians who are not familiar with the cultures of Canada's First Peoples.
'Twas in the moon of winter-time
When all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wandering hunters heard the hymn:
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."
Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapp'd His beauty round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high...
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."
The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory
On the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."
O children of the forest free,
O sons of Manitou,
The Holy Child of earth and heaven
Is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."
[1926 English version by Jesse Edgar Middleton]
The Huron Carol (arr. by Sarah MacDonald) - Ely Cathedral Choir
The Huron Carol - Prairie Rose Rangers
Une Jeune Pucelle - LAPSUS
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