Twelve Days of Christmas

Day 12 - Here Betwixt Ass and Oxen Mild

One of the oldest known French carols, Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris (Here Betwixt the Ass and Oxen Mild) dates from as early as the 13th century. A “modern” harmonized version, titled Le sommeil de l’enfant Jésus first appeared in Collection de chœurs, a 10-volume compendium of choral music composed and compiled by Belgian composer and musicologist François-Auguste Gevaert in the late 19th century. The text was eventually translated into English by Episcopal Canon Charles Winfred Douglas and appeared in the 1940 Episcopal Hymnal. The presence of the ox and ass is significant in that both were mentioned centuries before Christ’s birth in Isaiah’s prophecy: “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib.” Certainly, oxen could have been the occupants of the stable in which Mary and Joseph lodged, and the ass would have carried the pregnant mother from Nazareth to Bethlehem. (note thanks to the LA Philharmonic)

Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris,

   Here 'tween the ox and donkey grey

Dort, dort, dort le petit Fils,

    Sleep, sleep, sleep the little Son.

Mille anges divins, mille séraphins,

    Thousand divine angels, thousand seraphim,

Volent à l’entour de ce Grand Dieu d’amour.

    Flying round about this great God of love.

Entre les deux bras de Marie,

    Between the arms of dear Mary

Dort, dort, dort le Fruit de Vie,

    Sleep, sleep, sleep the fruit of life.

Mille anges divins, mille séraphins,

    Thousand divine angels, thousand seraphim,

Volent à l’entour de ce Grand Dieu d’amour.

    Flying round about this great God of love.

Entre les roses et les lys,

    Here 'neath the rose and lilies lay,

Dort, dort, dort le petit Fils,

    Sleep, sleep, sleep the little son.

Mille anges divins, mille séraphins,

    Thousand divine angels, thousand seraphim,

Volent à l’entour de ce Grand Dieu d’amour.

    Flying round about this great God of love.

Entre les pastoureaux jolis,

    Here midst the gentle shepherds lay

Dort, dort, Jésus qui sourit,

    Sleep, sleep, smile the night away.

Mille anges divins, mille séraphins,

    Thousand divine angels, thousand seraphim,

Volent à l’entour de ce Grand Dieu d’amour.

    Flying round about this great God of love.

En ce beau jour si solennel,

    Beautiful it is this solemn day,

Dort, dort, dort l’Emmanuel,

    Sleep, sleep, sleep Emmanuel.

Mille anges divins, mille séraphins,

    Thousand divine angels, thousand seraphim,

Volent à l’entour de ce Grand Dieu d’amour.

    Flying round about this great God of love.

Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris - arr. Gavaert

Here Betwixt Ass And Oxen Mild - arr. Robert Shaw / UCA Chamber Singers