Madre non mi far monaca che non mi voglio far.
Non mi tagliar la tonaca che non la vuo' portar.
Tutt'il dì in coro, al vespre'et all messa,
E la madr'abadessa
Non fa se non gridar, che possela creppar,
Che possela creppar.
1557
Une jeune pucelle de noble coeur priant en sa chambrette.
Son Créateur, l'Ange du Ciel, descendit sur la terre.
Lui conta le mystère
De notre Salvateur,
Ce Dieu si redoutable est homme comme toi,
Ce Dieu est homme comme toi.
1643
Estennialon de tsonoue, Iesous ahatonnia
Onnaouateoua dóki nónouandaskouaentak
Ennonchien skouatrihotat
Nónouandilonrachatha
Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia
Iesous ahatonnia.
1926
'Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead.
Before their light the stars grew dim
And wondering hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.
The 'Huron Carol', also known as 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime' is Canada's oldest Christmas carol.
ReplyDeleteJean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary, wrote the lyrics in 1643 in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people. He based the melody on a French folk song, 'Une Jeune Pucelle', itself based on an even older Italian ballad.
The more well-known English lyrics were written by Jesse Edgar Middleton in 1926.
The history of the song fascinated me. As I went through my research, I found that the sequence spoke to me about the art of translation, adaptation, how historical verses are renaissant - reborn.
And I found it fascinating that a baroque Italian ballad - of all things, about a girl not wanting to become a nun - shares lineage with a carol with a modernist, yet traditional, religious fervor.
Short link - http://bit.ly/s4renaissant
oh i know this song..i once heard it a canadian guy sing.. now the melody's in my head and i probably gonna sing it all day...smiles - enjoyed the glimpse into history as well... wishing you a wonderful christmas time sam!!
ReplyDeletenice...great approach to this...was afraid i was going to have to run the translator all morning...smiles...i hope you have a very merry christmas sam and thanks for always jumping in over at dverse....
ReplyDeleteAnother masterful construction Sam. These poetic works feed our soul, we who love what you do. We revel in their mystery and majesty. Merry Christmas to you and loved ones.
ReplyDeletebeautiful one.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you share at poetry picnic.
Cheers.
Merry Christmas.