BRING A TORCH, JEANETTE, ISABELLA!

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!

Bring a torch, to the cradle run!

It is Jesus, good folk of the village;

Christ is born, and Mary's calling;

Ah! Ah! beautiful is the mother;

Ah! Ah! beautiful is her son.

It is wrong when the Child is sleeping,

It is wrong to talk so loud;

Silence, all, as you gather around,

Lest your noise should waken Jesus:

Hush! Hush! see how fast He slumbers;

Hush! Hush! see how fast He sleeps.

Who goes there a-knocking so loudly?

Who goes there a-knocking like that?

Ope your doors, I have here on a plate

Some very good cakes which I am bringing:

Toc! Toc! quickly your doors now open;

Toc! Toc! come let us make good cheer.

Softly to the little stable,

Softly for a moment come;

Look and see how charming is Jesus,

How He is white, His cheeks are rosy.

Hush! Hush! see how the Child is sleeping;

Hush! Hush! see how He smiles in dreams.

_Provençal Noël of Nicholas Saboly_