Il est né, le divin Enfant
"Il est né, le divin Enfant", sometimes translated into English as "He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child" or simply "He Is Born, the Divine Child", is a traditional French Christmas carol.
History
The melody was published for the first time in 1863 by, organist of the Cathedral of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, 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.Gabriel Fauré wrote several arrangements, including for solo voice and organ, for choir and organ, and for children's choir and chamber orchestra. David Willcocks, John Rutter and Kurt Suttner wrote modern choral versions.
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 :
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
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
\header
\layout
global =
chordNamesC = \chordmode
chordNamesV = \chordmode
sopranoC = \relative c'
sopranoV = \relative c'
altoC = \relative c'
altoV = \relative c'
tenorC = \relative c
tenorV = \relative c
verseOne = \lyricmode
verseTwo = \new Lyrics \lyricmode
\score
\score
Source