Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes (The Angels in Our Fields) is a famous and well-known French Christmas carol,
said to be from the 19th century.
The song calls the shepherds from the far hills to the town of Bethlehem and encourages them to join in singing the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to liberate mankind from its slavery to the Devil. The Cherubim and Seraphim sing His praises, while the shepherds seek out that blessed village in which God chose a humble dwelling to begin His mission on earth to save mankind.
Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes is here interpreted by the Vienna Boys Choir. Another interesting version can be found
here (live version here.)
Listen to Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes
Lyrics:
French text (1)
1. Les Anges dans nos campagnes
Ont entonné l'hymne des cieux,
Et l'écho de nos montagnes
Redit ce chant mélodieux: Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
2. Bergers, pour qui cette fête?
Quel est l'objet de tous ces chanté?
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête
Mérite ces cris triomphants? Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
3. Ils annoncent la naissance
Du libérateur d'Israël,
Et, pleins de reconnaissance,
Chantent en ce jour solennel: Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
4. Allons tous de compagnie
Sous l'humble toit qu'il a choisi
Voir l'adorable Messie,
A qui nous chanterons aussi: Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
5. Cherchons tous l'heureux village
Qui l'a vu naître sous ses toits;
Offrons-lui le tendre hommage
Et de nos coeurs et de nos voix. Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
6. Dans l'humilité profonde
Où vous paraissez à nos yeux,
Pour vous louer, Roi du monde,
Nous redirons ce chant joyeux: Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
7. Toujours remplis du mystère
Qu'opère aujourd'hui votre amour,
Notre devoir sur la terre
Sera de chanter chaque jour: Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
8. Déjà les bienheureux Anges,
Les Chérubins, les Séraphins,
Occupés de vos louanges,
Ont appris à dire aux humains: Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
9. Bergers, loin de vos retraites,
Unissez-vous à leurs concerts,
Et que vos tendres musettes
Fassentretentir dans les airs: Gloria in excelsis Deo. (x2)
English translation (2):
1. The Angels in our fields
Have intoned the hymn of the heavens,
And the echo of our mountains
Repeats this melodious song: Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
2. Shepherds, for whom is this celebration?
What is the object of all this singing?
What victor, what conquest
Deserves these triumphant cries? Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
3. They announce the birth
Of the liberator of Israel,
And [they], full of gratitude,
Sing on this solemn day: Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
4. Let us all go together
To the humble dwelling He has chosen
To see the adorable Messiah,
To whom we too will sing: Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
5. Let us all seek the blessed village
That saw Him born beneath its roofs;
Let us offer Him the tender homage
Of both our hearts and our voices. Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
6. In the profound humility
In which Thou appearest before our eyes,
To praise Thee, King of the world,
We will repeat this joyful song: Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
7. Always filled with the mystery
That Thy love works today,
Our duty on earth
Will be to sing every day: Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
8. Already the blessed Angels,
The Cherubim, the Seraphim,
Occupied with Thy praises,
Have learned to say to mankind: Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
9. Shepherds, far from your retreats,
Unite yourselves to their songs,
And let your gentle pipes
Resound in the air: Glory to God in the highest. (x2)
The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Marcellus Coffermans. At left: full painting; at right: detail of the Angel calling the shepherds. Netherland
style, c. 1550.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
French text from Choix de cantiques pour toutes les fêtes de l'année : pour la première communion, la confirmation, les missions et retraites, l'avent, le carême, le mois de Marie, etc. : spécialement destiné aux maisons d'éducation ("A selection of hymns for all the feasts of the year: for First Communion, Confirmation, missions and retreats, Advent, Lent, the Month of Mary, etc.: specially intended for educational institutions"). Accessed via the National Library of France's Gallica website (digitized catalog),
here, on p. 3.
