"Il est né, le divin Enfant" (English: He is born, the divine Child) is a traditional French

Christmas carol A Christmas carol is a Carol (music), carol on the theme of Christmas, traditionally sung at Christmas itself or during the surrounding Christmas and holiday season. The term noel has sometimes been used, especially for carols of French or ...

History

The melody was published for the first time in 1863 by , organist of the

Cathedral A cathedral is a church (building), church that contains the of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, Annual conferences within Methodism, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually s ...

Saint-Dié-des-Vosges Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (; , before 1999: ''Saint-Dié'') is a Communes of France, commune in the Vosges department, Grand Est, northeastern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, sub-prefecture of the department. Geography Saint-Dié is locat ...

, in a collection of carols entitled ''Airs des noëls lorrains''. The text of the carol was published for the first time in a collection of ancient carols, published in either 1875 or 1876 by Dom G. Legeay.

Lyrics

The text of the carol details the birth of Jesus and the wait of 4000 years for this event, as foretold by the prophets. It both observes the humility of Christ's birth in a stable and calls on the Kings of the Orient to attend the child. The text of the carol has been translated into English numerous times. One translation that is close in meaning is that by Edward Bliss Reed (1930):

Gabriel Fauré Gabriel Urbain Fauré (12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers. ...

wrote several

arrangement In music, an arrangement is a musical adaptation of an existing composition. Differences from the original composition may include reharmonization, melodic paraphrasing, orchestration, or formal development. Arranging differs from orchestr ...

s, including for solo voice and organ (1888), for choir and organ (1923), and for children's choir and chamber orchestra (1938).

David Willcocks Sir David Valentine Willcocks, (30 December 1919 – 17 September 2015) was a British choral conductor, organist, composer and music administrator. He was particularly well known for his association with the Choir of King's College, Cambridg ...

John Rutter Sir John Milford Rutter (born 24 September 1945) is an English composer, conductor, editor, arranger, and record producer, mainly of choral music. Biography Born on 24 September 1945 in London, the son of an industrial chemist and his wife, R ...

and

Kurt Suttner Kurt Suttner (born 8 August 1936 in Regensburg) is a German music teacher and choir director. He is the founder of the Via Nova Choir, with which he was awarded at numerous international competitions. Career Born in Regensburg, Suttner studied m ...

wrote modern choral versions. ''Refrain:'' Il est né le divin enfant, Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes ! Il est né le divin enfant, Chantons tous son avènement ! Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous le promettaient les prophètes Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous attendions cet heureux temps. ''Refrain'' Ah ! Qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant ! Ah ! que ses grâces sont parfaites ! Ah ! Qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant ! Qu'il est doux ce divin enfant ! ''Refrain'' Une étable est son logement Un peu de paille est sa couchette, Une étable est son logement Pour un dieu quel abaissement ! ''Refrain'' Partez, grands rois de l'Orient ! Venez vous unir à nos fêtes Partez, grands rois de l'Orient ! Venez adorer cet enfant ! ''Refrain'' Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend : Il est là pour faire leur conquête Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend : Donnons-les-lui donc promptement ! ''Refrain'' O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant Tout petit enfant que vous êtes, O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant, Régnez sur nous entièrement ! ''Refrain'' ''Chorus:'' He is born, the Heav'nly Child, Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding. He is born, the Heav'nly Child, Let all sing His nativity. 'Tis four thousand years and more, Prophets have foretold His coming. 'Tis four thousand years and more, Have we waited this happy hour. ''Chorus'' Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair, What perfection is His graces. Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair, Child divine, so gentle there. ''Chorus'' In a stable lodged is He, Straw is all He has for cradle. In a stable lodged is He, Oh how great humility! ''Chorus'' Jesus Lord, O King with power, Though a little babe You come here. Jesus Lord, O King with power, Rule o'er us from this glad hour. ''Chorus''

Melody

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Il est ne, le divin Enfant French-language Christmas carols 1862 songs French songs Songs about Jesus Songs about children 19th-century hymns