WTS = Huron Christmas Carol

HURON CHRISTMAS CAROL
JESOUS AHATONHIA
of FATHER ST. JEAN de BREBEUF

updated September 2000

Huron
original

(first verse
in Wendat)

English
translation

literal
by John Steckley
Teondecheron

English
translation

by Fr Kierans
(most desired)

English
translation

by Fr Hegarty
(rarely heard)

English
translation

by J.E. Middleton
(most sung)

French
translation

(simple)

French
translation

(complete)

"The Indians have a particular devotion for the night that was enlightened by the birth of the Son of God.
They built a small chapel of cedar and fir branches in honour of the manger of the Infant Jesus."
Jesuit Relations 1642

The Huron Carol, was written by St. Jean de Brebeuf in Quebec, while the Father recuperated from a broken clavicle.
He wrote the words to the music of a sixteenth century Carol called "Une Jeune Pucelle" ( A Young Maid).
Fortunately one of the last Jesuit Missionaries to the Huron, Fr. de Villeneuve, wrote the old Huron words to the carol and later translated it into simple French.

Click on thumbnail to see larger images by Stanley F. Turner

"Within a lodge of broken bark the tender Babe was found"

"Chiefs from afar"

"Huron braves and angels"

"So fair a sign," the chieftains said,
JESOUS AHATONHIA
Text: Estennialon de tsonue Jesus ahatonhia; St. Jean de Brebeuf, 1593 - 1649
Translation: H. Kierans, S.J.
Tune: Une Jeune Pucelle, 86 86 88 and refrain; a French folk tune, c. 16th century

1
Let Christian men take heart today
The devil's rule is done;
Let no man heed the devil more,
For Jesus Christ is come
But hear ye all what angels sing:
How Mary Maid bare Jesus King.

Jesous ahatonhia.
Jesus is born. Jesous ahatonhia.

2
Three chieftains saw before Noel
A star as bright as day,
"So fair a sign," the chieftains said,
"Shall lead us where it may."
For Jesu told the chieftains three:
"The star will bring you here to me."

Jesous ahatonhia.
Jesus is born. Jesous ahatonhia.

3
The chieftains gave him gold and all,
When Jesu they did see;
And told Him tales of near and far
With joy and courtesie,
Now, come ye all, sing Jesukin,
Who hears the prayers of holy men.

Jesous ahatonhia.
Jesus is born. Jesous ahatonhia.

JESOUS AHATONHIA
ST. JEAN de BREBEUF'S
HURON CHRISTMAS CAROL
Text: Estennialon de tsonue Jesus ahatonhia; St. Jean de Brebeuf, 1593 - 1649
Translation: D. Hegarty, S.J.
Tune: Une Jeune Pucelle, 86 86 88 and refrain; a French folk tune, c. 16th century

1
Take courage, men, take heart today,
for Jesus Christ is come,
The devil's reign is now destroyed,
his bonds are all undone.
And list no more to what he says,
your souls prepare for other ways,

Jesus indeed is born,
Jesus is born, Jesous ahatonhia.

2
The Choirs of Heaven sing above,
so listen to their prayer,
And do not thrust aside Their Word,
the Message is so fair,
For God Himself is born a Child,
the only Son of Mary Mild,

Jesus indeed is born,
Jesus is born, Jesous ahatonhia.

3
Three Captains, then, from far off lands
had talked the matter o'er,
And saw the Star, the so bright Star,
that beckoned to this shore.
They followed on where it might lead,
the Love of God their greatest need.

Jesus indeed is born,
Jesus is born, Jesous ahatonhia.

4
For Jesus put it in their hearts
that they should come to Him,
They knew the Star would lead them well,
just once its light grew dim.
As one their minds to follow on,
where that star led, where that light shone,

Jesus indeed is born,
Jesus is born, Jesous ahatonhia.

5
To Jesus, when these Captains came
they offered many things,
And happiness did fill their hearts,
the peace that real love brings.
They told him Tales of mighty deeds
and simply spoke of their own needs,

Jesus indeed is born,
Jesus is born, Jesous ahatonhia.

6
So let us all now come to Him
and offer Him our prayer,
Adore Him too and He in turn
His wealth with us will share.
For Saints us all He wants to be,
so hear His word that sets us free,

Jesus indeed is born, Jesus is born, Jesous ahatonhia.

JESOUS AHATONHIA
ST. JEAN de BREBEUF'S
HURON CHRISTMAS CAROL
Text: (first verse) Estennialon de tsonue Jesus ahatonhia; St. Jean de Brebeuf, 1593 - 1649
Tune: Une Jeune Pucelle, 86 86 88 and refrain; a French folk tune, c. 16th century

Estennialon de tsonwe
Jesous ahatonhia
Onnawatewa d' oki
n' onwandaskwaentak
Ennonchien skwatrihotat
n' onwandilonrachatha

Jesous ahatonhia, Jesous ahatonhia.

Huron/Wendat Language

Es-ten-nia-lon de tson-ou-e
Jesous a-ha-ton-hia,
On-naou-a-te-ou-a d'o-ki
N'on-ouan-da-skoua-en-tak;
En-non-chien skou-a-tri-ho-tat,
N'on-ou-an-di-lon-ra-cha-tha,

Jesous a-ha-ton-hia, Jesous a-ha-ton-hi-a

JESOUS AHATONHIA
ST. JEAN de BREBEUF'S
HURON CHRISTMAS CAROL
Text: Estennialon de tsonue Jesus ahatonhia; St. Jean de Brebeuf, 1593 - 1649
Translation: French
Tune: Une Jeune Pucelle, 86 86 88 and refrain; a French folk tune, c. 16th century

1
Hommes, prenez courage, Jesus est ne
Maintenant que le regne du diable est detruit
N'ecoutes plus ce qu'il dit a vos esprits,

Jesus est ne.

2
Ecoutez les anges du ciel,
Ne rejettez pas maintenant ce qu'ils vous ont dit,
Marie a enfante le Grand Esprit, comme ils vous ont dit.

Trois chefs se donnerent parole,
Alors Jesus leur suggeera l'idee de venir Le voir
Et la pensee que l'etoile les conduirait vers Lui,
Et ils se dirent denc qu'ils iraient vers l'etoile,

Jesus est ne.

3
Ces chefs firent des offrandes; en voyant Jesus
Ils firent heureux, et Lui raconterent de grandes choses,
Ils Le saluerent et Lui parlerent sincerement.

Jesus est ne.

4
A present venez tous Le prier,
Adorez-Le. n a exauce nos voeux,
Ecoutez-Le. Il vout que vous soyez saints.

Jesus est ne.

(Noel huron attribue a Brebeuf - circa 1641)

1
Chretiens, prenez courage,
Jesus Sauveur est ne!
Du malin les ouvrages
A jamais sont ruines.
Quand il chante merveille,
A ces troublants appas
Ne pretez plus l'oreille:

Jesus est ne: In excelsis gloria!

2
Oyez cette nouvelle,
Dont un ange est porteur!
Oyez! ames fideles,
Et dilatez vos coeurs.
La Vierge dans l'etable
Entoure de ses bras
L'Enfant-Dieu adorable.

Jesus est ne: In excelsis gloria!

3
Voici que trois Rois Mages,
Perdus en Orient,
Dechiffrent ce message
Ecrit au firmament:
L'Astre nouveau les hante.
Ils la suivront la-bas,
Cette etoile marchante:

Jesus est ne: In excelsis gloria!

4
Jesus leur met en tete
Que l'Etoile en la nuit
Qui jamais ne s'arrete
Les conduira vers Lui.
Dans la nuit radieuse
En route ils sont deja,
Ils vont l'ame joyeuse.

Jesus est ne: In excelsis gloria!

5
Pour l'Enfant qui repose
Dans in petit berceau,
Humblement ils deposent
Hommages et cadeaux.
Comme eux, l'ame ravie,
Chretiens, suivons ses pas,
Son amour nous convie.

Jesus est ne: In excelsis gloria!

'Twas in the Moon of Winter Time
Text: Estennialon de tsonue Jesus ahatonhia; St. Jean de Brebeuf, 1593 - 1649
English Text: Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1872 - 1960
Tune: Une Jeune Pucelle, 86 86 88 and refrain; a French folk tune, c. 16th century

The English words are not a translation, but an interpretation by Mr. Middleton.
The tune, reminiscent in its opening phrases of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, is said to have been sung in France as a carol entitled Une Jeune Pucelle (A Young Maiden).

1
'Twas in the moon of winter time,
When all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wond'ring hunters heard the hymn:

Jesus your king is born!
Jesus is born: "In excelsis gloria!"

2
Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender babe was found,
A raged robe of rabbit skin
Enrapped his beauty 'round;
And as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high:

Jesus your king is born!
Jesus is born: "In excelsis gloria!"

3
The earliest moon of winter time
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!"

4
O children of the forest free,
O sons 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!"

Huron Carol
English
literal translation by John Steckley Teondecheron

1
Have courage, you who are humans;
Jesus, he is born

2
Behold, the spirit, who had us as prisoners, has fled
Do not listen to it, as it corrupts the spirits of our minds
Jesus, he is born

3
They are spirits, sky people, coming with a message for us
They are coming to say, "Rejoice (Be on top of life)"
Marie, she has just given birth. Rejoice"
Jesus, he is born

4
Three have left for such, those who are elders
Tichion, a star that has just appeared on the horizon leads them there
He will seize the path, he who leads them there
Jesus, he is born

5
As they arrived there, where he was born, Jesus
the star was at the point of stopping, not far past it
Having found someone for them, he says, "Come here!"
Jesus, he is born

6
Behold, they have arrived there and have seen Jesus,
They praised (made a name) many times, saying "Hurray, he is good in nature"
They greeted him with reverence (greased his scalp many times), saying 'Hurray'
Jesus, he is born

7
"We will give to him praise for his name,
Let us show reverence for him as he comes to be compassionate to us.
It is providential that you love us and wish, 'I should adopt them.'"
Jesus, he is born.