A Caroling we will go - Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella

It is difficult to choose a favourite Christmas carol or song.

I chose to feature Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella, a French Provençal carol by Émile Blémont. Originally sung in French (Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle) it has been translated and one English version is shown below.


Bring a torch, Jeannette, Isabella!
Bring a torch to the cradle run!
It is Jesus, good folks of the village;
Christ is born and Mary's calling:
Ah! ah! beautiful is the mother!
Ah! ah! beautiful is her Son!

It is wrong when the Child is sleeping
It is wrong to talk so loud;
Silence, all, as you gather around,
Lest your noise should waken Jesus:
Hush! hush! see how fast He slumbers:
Hush! hush! see how fast He sleeps!

Softly to the little stable,
Softly for the moment come;
Look and see how charming is Jesus,
See how He smiles, Oh see how rosy!
Hush! hush! see how the Child is sleeping;
Hush! hush! see how He smiles in dreams.



To also hear and see a rendition of the carol by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir go to this link.