Il est né le Divin Enfant (He is born the Divine Child)
One of the most beloved chants de Noël (Christmas carols) in France.
The lyrics are mid-19th century, the music 17th century. I looked for the best versions on YouTube.
First, a beautiful interpretation by a children’s choir, the Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Bois. The tempo here is right (this carol is often sung too fast, which I feel detracts from its majesty.)
And then, of course, the greatest chanteuse ever, Edith Piaf.
In a different style, Siouxsie and the Banshees. The video is awfully grainy, but I love the arrangement. The horns, drums and cymbals are very true to the 17th century original music.
Enjoy!
PDF 16 Comments to “Il est né le Divin Enfant (He is born the Divine Child)”
Leave a Reply
Such fun! This is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I enjoyed your choices. I never thought about Edith Piaf singing Christmas carols…quite a treat!
Thank you, Evelyn! Edith Piaf was deeply religious, so it is not surprising that she sang this carol, but I had never heard this recording either before researching this post. This reminds me that I have to post a review of the wonderful Vie en Rose movie.
HI Catherine,
In my high school French class (many, many moons ago) we had to learn this song & I will never forget every last word of it! Such memories! I don’t know why it stuck with me all of these years but I love it, thanks for the nostalgia today!
Judith~
Judith – For me it is an early childhood memory (with the Midnight Mass and the life-size Nativity in the Church of Vic) but no matter how we learn about this song, it stays with us for a lifetime.
I love them all! and I enjoyed the Vie en Rose film as well.
It may be possible to suggest that the Chorales be sung in moderate tempo, not too fast, but surely not too slowly – about A QUARTER NOTE = 72 to 80, in keeping with the sentiment of the text. They should be rendered in fairly strict tempo, without accentuations. At the pauses (.), one or two regular beats may be added to the value of the given notes.
Amy – Delighted to see we have the same tastes.
Marie-Helene – I certainly won’t argue with you on this. Joyeux Noel!
I know , You can trust me on this one !
Joyeux Noel a vous aussi, merci, et a William aussi !
-Vous allez cuisiner ce Noel ?
(J’ai cuit un jamnbon pour Thanks giving, excellent…Facile a faire , de 6pm a 2:30 am …cuit a l’eau doucement, avec des pics en bois pour le soutenir, sinon la peau crame… tres important.)
Hi Catherine. I love this! I’m in Quebec and so I always hear the French Christmas songs. Beautiful! Have a Merry Christmas,
Lucy
Marie-Helene – No, I won’t cook this Christmas. I will be at the home of my aunt and uncle in Tours, and they are both wonderful cooks. I am very fortunate…
Lucy – Glad you enjoy French carols. Merry Christmas to you too!
Ma Chere Catherine,
thank you for the beautiful music. I am not Christian or a French Christian so I trust you as to what is true to the original. I had not realised that the English and the French have different carols. is this true all over the continent? I don’t think America has exported any.
Bonne Annee
Penny
Merry Christmas, Catherine! Your blog and your book have certainly been among the bright spots of 2008! May 2009 be full of good things, too!
Penny – Welcome to the world of French carols! I am delighted you enjoyed this beautiful music. Are Christmas carols different all over Europe. Most of them, yes, I would think so. Happy holidays to you!
Elena - The same here. I enjoyed Tea at Trianon, and most of all our friendship. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Bonjour Catherine,
J’espere que allez bien, ainsi que William.
Je voudrais vous demander si vous pourriez enlever le commantaire de votre blog sur le divin enfant music composition.
<
merci
MH
And likewise to you, Mme Delors, Joyeux Noël!
Joyeux Noël, et bonne annee 2010!