Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris
"Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" (from the 13th century) is the oldest French carol that's still sung today.
Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris
Between the Ox and the Gray Donkey
Chanson de Noël
Christmas Carol
(French)
(English)
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 pastoureaux jolis,
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils,
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 deux bras de Marie,
Dort, dort, dort le petit fils,
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 gray donkey,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the nice shepherds,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
Between roses and lilies,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
Between the two arms of Mary
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
On this beautiful, so solemn day
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps Emmanuel,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphs
Fly around this great God of love.
The 3rd recording starts with the 1st verse, then the 3rd and finally the 2nd.
3rd Recording: Ruth Golding
Thanks!
Sheet Music
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translation: Monique Palomares
Image: Panel by Conrad von Soest, Germany, 1403.
Merci beaucoup!