| "Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" | |
|---|---|
| Carol | |
| English | "Between the ox and the grey donkey" |
| Genre | Christmas carol |
| Occasion | Christmas |
| Language | French |
| Based on | Isaiah 1:3 |
"Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" (Between the ox and the grey donkey), also known as "Le sommeil de l'enfant Jésus" (The sleep of baby Jesus) is a French Christmas carol. One of the oldest extant carols, it has been dated to both the 13th and the 16th centuries.[1]
The supposed presence of the two animals at the birth of Jesus may have its origin in the Book of Isaiah chapter 1 verse 3: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."[2]
Tune[edit]
Lyrics[edit]
Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Entre les deux bras de Marie
Dort, dort, dort le fruit de vie
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Entre les roses et les lys
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Entre les pastoureaux jolis
Dort, dort, Jésus qui sourit
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
En ce beau jour si solennel
Dort, dort, dort l’Emmanuel
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins
Volent à l’entour de ce grand dieu d’amour.
Between the ox and the grey donkey
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the two arms of Mary
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the fruit of life,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the roses and the lilies,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
Amidst the gentle shepherds
Sleeps, sleeps Jesus who smiles,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
On this beautiful, so solemn day
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps Emmanuel,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim
Fly around this great God of love.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
French Wikisource has original text related to this article: Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris
