Guest Author - Linda J. Paul
I must confess that I had not heard of the Huron Carol until recently. When I heard it being sung at a local event, I had to find out more about it. The song was created by Jean de Brebeuf, a missonary to the Huron nation in 1643.
It is truly considered to be the first Christmas Carol.
Brebeuf describes the Nativity in language that the Hurons could understand. The three wise men decome "Chiefs from far" who bring gifts of fox and beaver pelt. The shepards become "wondering hunters" and the manger becomes "a lodge of broken bark".
Interestingly enough, the birth of Jesus was not something new to the Huron. There are prophecies within many Native cultures of the birth of a great leader. The message inherent in the Winter Solstice itself of new hope and life even in the darkest and coldest of winters was also a promise that the Huron people could accept.
Even after Jean de Brebeuf was killed by the Iroquois, along with the destruction of the Ste. Marie settlement, and the consequent scattering of the Huron people, the old carol still lived on. It was translated first into French and then into English in 1926.
The Huron Carol
('Twas In The Moon of Winter Time)
'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.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Words: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926
Music: French Canadian melody (tune name: Jesous Ahatonhia)
To read more about the life of Jean de Brebeuf follow the links below. There is also a link to a webpage that has a MP3 file for the Carol in the original Huron language.
