photo ©anneberry
This is a photograph I took at Rucks Dairy in Spalding Co. (GA). These curious young cows make me think of a French Christmas carol, Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle (Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!) The simple melody and words of this hymn affirm the pure and uncorrupted meaning of Christmas, which is often forgotten in what has become in America a consumer driven holiday. The legend behind this hymn begins with two milkmaids in Bethlehem. When the girls go to milk the cows, they find baby Jesus in the stable and run to tell the village folk of His birth. On Christmas eve French children dress as shepherds and milkmaids and process to mass carrying torches and candles.
Here are the lyrics in English, and also a link to You Tube, Tennessee Ernie Ford singing the carol in French and English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50uZBeiSSTw
Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella!
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run!
Christ is born. Tell the folk of the village
Jesus is born and Mary's calling.
Ah! Ah! beautiful is the Mother!
Ah! Ah! beautiful is her son!
It is wrong when the Baby is sleeping,
It is wrong to speak so loud.
Silence, now as you gather around,
Lest your noise should waken Jesus.
Hush! Hush! see how the Baby slumbers;
Hush! Hush! see how the Baby sleeps!
Softly now unto the stable,
Softly for a moment come!
Look and see how charming is Jesus,
Look at him there, His cheeks are rosy!
Hush! Hush! see how the Child is sleeping;
Hush! Hush! see how he smiles in dreams!
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