D'où viens-tu, bergère?

D'où viens-tu, bergère? ("Where are you coming from, shepherdess?") is a traditional French carol.[1] Written in 4-4 time, this carol is sung to celebrate Christmas in France.[2]

In its English translation Mary Magdalene comes from visiting the manger of Jesus and tells the shepherds and angels of his birth. The carol is a popular choice for francophone choirs internationally, especially in Canada.[3]

Lyrics for D’où viens-tu, bergère were published in Vieilles Chansons patoises du Périgord (1888, 2e éd. 1903) as collected by Emmanuel Casse and Eugène Chaminade.[4]

Partial traditional lyrics
D'où viens-tu, bergère ?
D'où viens-tu?
Je viens de l'étable
De m'y promener!
J'ai vu un miracle,
Ce soir arriver!
Rien de plus, bergère ?
Rien de plus?
Y'a le boeuf et l'âne,
Qui sont par devant,
Avec leur haleine
Réchauffant l'enfant.

The carol is usually repeated 2 times, and traditionally, is accompanied by harpsichord and oboe.

English adaption

What did you see Oh Maiden, What did you see?
On this very night, my own eyes were dazzled, by a wondrous sight!
Was he fair, Oh Maiden, Was he fair?
Fairer than the moon, fairer than the sun! Never in this world have I seen such a one!
Was he calm, Oh Maiden, was he calm?
All my heart was given to this little child. In my very soul, he will live for all time!

Adaptations

The song was adapted in 1866 into English by William McLennan[5] with the title Whence art thou, my maiden?[3]

Recorded versions

Artists who have recorded the song include:

  • Benny Barbara (nell'album Tijuana)[6]
  • The Canadian Brass (in The Christmas Album) 1990[7]
  • Le Petit Chœur Du Collège De Montreux e Charles Jauquier (nell'album L'ésprit de Noël)[8]
  • Suzanne Pinel (nell'album Noël avec Suzanne Pinel 1983)[9]
  • Laurens van Rooyen (nell'album Appelsientje Kerstconcert 1991)[10]
  • Nathalie Simard e Les Petits Chanteurs de Granby (nell'album Noël avec Nathalie et Les Petits Chanteurs de Granby 1981)[11]
  • Strada (nell'album Kadou - Noëls anciens et chansons de quête Traditional Carols And Wassail Songs 2000)[12]
  • Joyce Sullivan e Charles Jordan (nell'album Folk Songs of Canada)[13]

References
  1. Francophone musique, D'ou viens-tu, bergiere? Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  2. The Traditional Book of Carols
  3. Bowler, Gerry, Dizionario universale del Natale [The World Encyclopedia of Christmas], Newton & Compton, Roma, 2003, p. 126
  4. "D'où viens-tu, bergère?".
  5. McLennan, William, 1856-1904 (1866), Songs of old Canada [microform] / translated by William McLennan, Dawson BrosCS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Benny Barbara - Tijuana su Discogs
  7. Canadian Brass, The -The Christmas Album su Discogs
  8. Le Petit Chœur Du Collège De Montreux et Charles Jauquier Direction Robert Mermoud - L'Esprit De Noël su Discogs
  9. Suzanne Pinel - Noël Avec Suzanne Pinel su Discogs
  10. Laurens van Rooyen - Appelsientje Kerstconcert
  11. Nathalie Simard Et Les Petits Chanteurs De Granby – Noël Avec Nathalie Et Les Petits Chanteurs De Granby
  12. Strada (7) – Kadou - Noëls Anciens Et Chansons De Quête Traditional Carols And Wassail Songs
  13. Joyce Sullivan And Charles Jordan – Folk Songs Of Canada su Discogs
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