Nous étions trois bergerettes
A Carol from the 15th or 16th century…
Nous étions trois bergerettes
We Were Three Young Shepherdesses
Chanson de Noël
Christmas Carol
(French)
(English)
Nous étions trois bergerettes
Auprès d'un petit ruisseau
En gardant nos brebiettes
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau*
Qui paissaient dans le préau
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
En gardant nos brebiettes
Auprès d'un petit ruisseau
Nous vîmes voler un ange
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau
Plus reluisant qu'un flambeau,
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
Nous vîmes voler un ange
Plus reluisant qu'un flambeau
Qui donnant à Dieu louange
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau
Chantait ce bel air nouveau
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
Qui donnant à Dieu louange
Chantait ce bel air nouveau
Le Rédempteur vient de naître
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau
Plus doux qu'un petit agneau
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
Robin a pris des sonnettes
Et Colin son chalumeau
Dîmes maintes chansonnettes
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
Des plus belles du monceau
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
Dieu sait comme nous dansâmes
À l'entour de son berceau
Puis nous nous en retournâmes
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
Chacune vers son troupeau
Naulet, Nau, Nau, Nau.
We were three young shepherdesses
Near a little brook,
We were tending our little ewes,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas,
That were grazing in the small meadow,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.
We were tending our little ewes
Near a little brook,
We saw an angel flying,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas,
Shining more than a torch,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.
We saw an angel flying,
Shining more than a torch,
Who, praising God,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas,
Was singing this new, beautiful tune,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.
Who, praising God,
Was singing this new, beautiful tune,
The Redeemer was just born,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas,
Sweeter than a little lamb,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.
Robin took his little bells
And Colin his pipe.
We recited many ditties,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas,
From the prettiest of the lot,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.
God knows how much we danced
Around his crib,
Then each of us went back,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas,
To our flock,
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.
Notes
* "Nau" in Anjou dialect means "Christmas", "Naulet" is a diminutive.
Sheet Music
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Monique Palomares for contributing and translating this song, and for providing the midi and sheet music. 2nd translator: Lisa Yannucci.
Image: Adoration of the Shepherds, Jacob Jordaens, Belgium, 1617.