The Huron Carol - Canadian Christmas Chant

Vocals and arrangement by Farya Faraji. Many thanks to Luigi Alberga for having introduced me to this song. This is known as the oldest Christmas chant in Canada, and may very well be one of its oldest songs, if not the oldest. The piece has a very interesting history: it was first noted down in the 18th century in Québec, and it is said that it was written and composed by Jean Brébeuf, a French missionary who had traveled to New France in 1625. Brébeuf was nothing short of a linguistic genius, and had an extraordinary ability for languages. He learned the Wendat language, a member of the Iroquoian family of languages in North America, and even mastered it to the point of poetic and oratory fluency. According to this story, he then wrote what is known in French as the Noël Huron, or Jesous Ahatonnia, in the Wendat language. The song would then have been translated into French and noted down in the 18th century. It was later translated into English. I’m personally dubious as to the veracity of the story when it comes to the melody: it was supposedly composed by Brébeuf himself, based on the melody of a pre-existing French song called “Une Jeune Pucelle”, but the descending pattern into the Aeolian mode is highly uncharacteristic of European music in the 17th century, and is found far more often in French Canadian music of the past two centuries. I think it’s a possibility that the melody we now associate with the text isn’t exactly the one sung by Brébeuf’s converts in the 1600’s, if he did indeed compose the song. A characteristic of the original Wendat lyrics as well as the English translation is the transposition of the story of the nativity into a pre-colonial, North American setting. God is referred to as the Gitche Manitou, the gifts of the Three Magi are turned into pelts of fox and beaver, etc--it shows a fascinating form of syncretism: translating the imagery of a Middle-Eastern setting into a North American one. I forewent using the original Wendat lyrics as the language has no native speakers right now, and is in the process of being retaught by the Wendat Nation here in Québec; therefore I didn’t have sufficient sources to ensure a proper rendering of the language that wouldn’t butcher it. Lyrics in French: Chrétiens, prenez courage, Jésus Sauveur est né ! Du malin les ouvrages À jamais sont ruinés. Quand il chante merveille, À ces troublants appas Ne prêtez plus l’oreille : Jésus est né : In excelsis gloria ! Oyez cette nouvelle, Dont un ange est porteur! Oyez! âmes fidèles, Et dilatez vos cœurs. La Vierge dans l’étable Entoure de ses bras L’Enfant-Dieu adorable. Jésus est né : In excelsis gloria ! Voici que trois Rois Mages, Perdus en Orient, Déchiffrent ce message Écrit au firmament : L’Astre nouveau les hante. Ils la suivront la-bas, Cette étoile marchante : Jésus est né : In excelsis gloria ! Jésus leur met en tête Que l’Étoile en la nuit Qui jamais ne s’arrête Les conduira vers Lui. Dans la nuit radieuse En route ils sont déjà, Ils vont l’âme joyeuse. Jésus est né : In excelsis gloria ! Pour l’Enfant qui repose dans un petit berceau, Humblement ils déposent Hommages et cadeaux. Comme eux, l’âme ravie, Chrétiens, suivons ses pas, Son amour nous convie. Jésus est né : In excelsis gloria !  Lyrics in English: ’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!