D'où viens-tu, bergère?
D'où viens-tu, bergère? ("Where are you coming from, shepherdess?") is a traditional French carol.[1] Written in 4-4 time, this carol is sung to celebrate Christmas in France.[2]
In its English translation Mary Magdalene comes from visiting the manger of Jesus and tells the shepherds and angels of his birth. The carol is a popular choice for francophone choirs internationally, especially in Canada.[3]
Lyrics for D’où viens-tu, bergère were published in Vieilles Chansons patoises du Périgord (1888, 2e éd. 1903) as collected by Emmanuel Casse and Eugène Chaminade.[4]
Partial traditional lyrics[edit]
- D'où viens-tu, bergère ?
- D'où viens-tu?
- Je viens de l'étable
- De m'y promener!
- J'ai vu un miracle,
- Ce soir arriver!
- Rien de plus, bergère ?
- Rien de plus?
- Y'a le boeuf et l'âne,
- Qui sont par devant,
- Avec leur haleine
- Réchauffant l'enfant.
The carol is usually repeated 2 times, and traditionally, is accompanied by harpsichord and oboe.
English adaption[edit]
What did you see Oh Maiden, What did you see?
On this very night, my own eyes were dazzled, by a wondrous sight!
Was he fair, Oh Maiden, Was he fair?
Fairer than the moon, fairer than the sun! Never in this world have I seen such a one!
Was he calm, Oh Maiden, was he calm?
All my heart was given to this little child. In my very soul, he will live for all time!
Adaptations[edit]
The song was adapted in 1866 into English by William McLennan[5] with the title Whence art thou, my maiden?[3]
Recorded versions[edit]
Artists who have recorded the song include:
- Benny Barbara (nell'album Tijuana)[6]
- The Canadian Brass (in The Christmas Album) 1990[7]
- Le Petit Chœur Du Collège De Montreux e Charles Jauquier (nell'album L'ésprit de Noël)[8]
- Suzanne Pinel (nell'album Noël avec Suzanne Pinel 1983)[9]
- Laurens van Rooyen (nell'album Appelsientje Kerstconcert 1991)[10]
- Nathalie Simard e Les Petits Chanteurs de Granby (nell'album Noël avec Nathalie et Les Petits Chanteurs de Granby 1981)[11]
- Strada (nell'album Kadou - Noëls anciens et chansons de quête Traditional Carols And Wassail Songs 2000)[12]
- Joyce Sullivan and Charles Jordan (nell'album Folk Songs of Canada)[13]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Francophone musique, D'ou viens-tu, bergiere? Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ The Traditional Book of Carols
- ^ a b Bowler, Gerry, Dizionario universale del Natale [The World Encyclopedia of Christmas], Newton & Compton, Roma, 2003, p. 126
- ^ "D'où viens-tu, bergère?". Archived from the original on 2014-10-22.
- ^ McLennan, William, 1856-1904 (1866), Songs of old Canada [microform] / translated by William McLennan, Dawson Bros
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Benny Barbara - Tijuana su Discogs
- ^ Canadian Brass, The -The Christmas Album su Discogs
- ^ Le Petit Chœur Du Collège De Montreux et Charles Jauquier Direction Robert Mermoud - L'Esprit De Noël su Discogs
- ^ Suzanne Pinel - Noël Avec Suzanne Pinel su Discogs
- ^ Laurens van Rooyen - Appelsientje Kerstconcert
- ^ Nathalie Simard Et Les Petits Chanteurs De Granby – Noël Avec Nathalie Et Les Petits Chanteurs De Granby
- ^ Strada (7) – Kadou - Noëls Anciens Et Chansons De Quête Traditional Carols And Wassail Songs
- ^ Joyce Sullivan And Charles Jordan – Folk Songs Of Canada su Discogs
External links[edit]
