Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris (“Between the ox and the grey ass”) is a French Christmas carol dating back to the 13th century. It describes the divine presence of Our Lord in the stable, held in the arms of Our Blessed Mother and surrounded by thousands of flying angels and seraphim.
The presence of the ox and the grey ass at Our Lord’s birth is a longstanding tradition. We find them represented in paintings and sculptures of the Nativity since the early days of the Church, and until now we always see them in creche scenes.
In many renditions of this carol, the second verse is omitted. Since the second verse mentions Our Lady, it would seem that this omission is a concession to please Protestants, who reject Our Lady. All verses are included here for our readers.
Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris is interpreted here by the French boys choir, Les Petits Chanteurs de Versailles.
Note: Only the first, third and fourth verses are sung in the recording, and the fourth verse in the recording uses the words “dort le petit fils” instead of “Jésus qui sourit.”
Listen to Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris
Lyrics:
French lyrics
1. 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.
2. Entre les deux bras de Marie,
Dort, dort, dort le Fruit de Vie,
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins,
Volent à l’entour de ce Grand Dieu d’amour.
3. 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.
4. Entre les pastoureaux jolis,
Dort, dort, Jésus qui sourit,
Mille anges divins, mille séraphins,
Volent à l’entour de ce Grand Dieu d’amour.
5. 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.
English lyrics:
1. Between the ox and the grey ass,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little Son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand Seraphim,
Fly around this Great God of love.
2. Between the two arms of Mary,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the Fruit of Life,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand Seraphim,
Fly around this Great God of love.
3. Amidst the roses and the lilies,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little Son,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand Seraphim,
Fly around this Great God of love.
4. Amidst the gentle shepherds,
Sleeps, sleeps Jesus who smiles,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand Seraphim,
Fly around this Great God of love.
5. On such a beautiful and solemn day,
Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the Emmanuel,
A thousand divine angels, a thousand Seraphim,
Fly around this Great God of love.
