Post by marilyn777 on Dec 2, 2009 17:50:48 GMT -5
I have a couple, one is 'It Came Upon A Midnight Clear' because its such a visual song I can picture the Angels telling the shepherds about Jesus' birth and their fear then their joy and amazement. And that we now have hope for our future in that babies birth. Another favourite is called 'The Huron Carol' or (Twas In The Moon Of Winter Time) Here is the story behind this beloved Canadian Carol our church sings it every year. (see below)
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
O ye beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
The Huron Carol
The very first Canadian Christmas Carol was written in 1643, by Father Saint Jean de Brebeuf, 1593-1649 It was meant as a gift and teaching aid for the Huron People. Father Brebeuf was a Jesuit Missionary and Linguist stationed at Ste. Marie Among the Hurons.
Written originally in the Huron language; the carol at some point in time, was translated into French. Mr. Jesse Edgar Middleton translated the carol into English in 1926, from a French Translation and gave it a new name.
I had wondered about the differences in wording between the Huron Carol and Middleton's Twas In The Moon Of Winter. Mr Steckley; a translator at Humber College; pointed out, it was Middleton who created the lyrics for Moon of Winter probably because of difficulty with the flawed French Translation.
Even when all the translation difficulties are taken into consideration, The Huron Carol or Twas In The Moon Of Winter Time does not lose Father Brebeuf's message.
Father Saint Jean de Brebeuf lost his life March 16 1649, during the Iroquois uprising of 1648/1650, when he was captured and slain by the Iroquois. On June 29 1930 Father Brebeuf was canonized by Pope Pius XI.
The music known as Jesous Ahatonhia is based on a 16 th century French Canadian Melody.
The Huron Carol ('Twas In The Moon of Winter Time)
'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering 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 enwrapped 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 seed 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.
Words: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
O ye beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
The Huron Carol
The very first Canadian Christmas Carol was written in 1643, by Father Saint Jean de Brebeuf, 1593-1649 It was meant as a gift and teaching aid for the Huron People. Father Brebeuf was a Jesuit Missionary and Linguist stationed at Ste. Marie Among the Hurons.
Written originally in the Huron language; the carol at some point in time, was translated into French. Mr. Jesse Edgar Middleton translated the carol into English in 1926, from a French Translation and gave it a new name.
I had wondered about the differences in wording between the Huron Carol and Middleton's Twas In The Moon Of Winter. Mr Steckley; a translator at Humber College; pointed out, it was Middleton who created the lyrics for Moon of Winter probably because of difficulty with the flawed French Translation.
Even when all the translation difficulties are taken into consideration, The Huron Carol or Twas In The Moon Of Winter Time does not lose Father Brebeuf's message.
Father Saint Jean de Brebeuf lost his life March 16 1649, during the Iroquois uprising of 1648/1650, when he was captured and slain by the Iroquois. On June 29 1930 Father Brebeuf was canonized by Pope Pius XI.
The music known as Jesous Ahatonhia is based on a 16 th century French Canadian Melody.
The Huron Carol ('Twas In The Moon of Winter Time)
'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering 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 enwrapped 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 seed 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.
Words: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926