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=                 Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella                  =
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                             Introduction                             
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"Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" () is a Christmas carol which
originated from the Provence region of France in the 17th century. The
song is usually notated in 3/8 time.

The carol was first published in France, and was subsequently
translated into English in the 18th century. The song was originally
not meant for Christmas; it was considered dance music for French
nobility.


                               History                                
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The carol first appeared in print in 1688 with the Provençal text
'Venès lèu, Vèire la piéucello; Venès lèu, Genti pastourèu!' in a
collection of twelve Provençal 'noëls' by Nicolas Saboly. The
popularity of the melody is attested by its use four years later by
Marc-Antoine Charpentier for the drinking song, 'Qu'ils sont doux,
bouteille jolie' in a 1672 revival of Molière's 'Le médecin malgré
lui'.

To this day on Christmas Eve in Provence, children dress as shepherds
and milkmaids, bringing torches and candles while singing the carol on
their way to Midnight Mass.


                                Lyrics                                
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The characters "Jeannette" and "Isabelle/Isabella" are two female
farmhands who have found the Baby Jesus and his mother Mary in a
stable. Excited by this discovery, they run to a nearby village to
tell the inhabitants, who rush to see the new arrivals. Visitors to
the stable are urged to keep their voices quiet, so the newborn can
enjoy his dreams.
:**'English**'
:**'French**'
:'Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!'	:'Bring a torch to the stable
call!'	:'Christ is born, tell the folk of the village:'	:'Jesus is
born, and Mary's calling.'	:'Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Mother!'	:'Ah!
Ah! Beautiful is her Son!'	:'Who is that, knocking on the door?'	:'Who
is it, knocking like that?'	:'Open up, we've arranged on a platter'
:'Lovely cakes that we have brought here'	:'Knock! Knock! Open the
door for us!'	:'Knock! Knock! Let's celebrate!'	:'It is wrong when the
Child is sleeping,'	:'It is wrong to talk so loud.'	:'Silence, now, as
you gather around,'	:'Lest your noise should waken Jesus.'	:'Hush!
Hush! See how He slumbers;'	:'Hush! Hush! See how fast He sleeps! '
:'Softly now unto the stable,'	:'Softly for a moment come!'	:'Look and
see how charming is Jesus,'	:'Look at Him there, His cheeks are rosy!'
:'Hush! Hush! See how the Child is sleeping;'	:'Hush! Hush! See how He
smiles in His dreams!'	:'Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle --'	:'Un
flambeau!  Courons au berceau!'	:'C'est Jésus, bonnes gens du hameau.'
:'Le Christ est né; Marie appelle!'	:'Ah! Ah! Que la Mère est belle,'
:'Ah! Ah! Que l'Enfant est beau!'	:'Qui vient là, frappant de la
sorte?'	:'Qui vient là, en frappant comme ça?'	:'Ouvrez-donc, j'ai
posé sur un plat'	:'De bons gâteaux, qu'ici j'apporte'	:'Toc! Toc!
Ouvrons-nous la porte!'	:'Toc! Toc! Faisons grand gala!'	:'C'est un
tort, quand l'Enfant sommeille,'	:'C'est un tort de crier si fort.'
:'Taisez-vous, l'un et l'autre, d'abord!'	:'Au moindre bruit, Jésus
s'éveille.'	:'Chut! chut! Il dort à merveille,'	:'Chut! chut! Voyez
comme il dort!'	:'Doucement, dans l'étable close,'	:'Doucement, venez
un moment!'	:'Approchez!  Que Jésus est charmant!'	:'Comme il est
blanc!  Comme il est rose!'	:'Do! Do! Que l'Enfant repose!'	:'Do! Do!
Qu'il rit en dormant!'


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License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Original Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bring_a_Torch,_Jeanette,_Isabella


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