| Whence comes this rush of wings afar
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| Following straight the NoÎl star?
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| Birds from the woods, in wondrous flight
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| Bethlehem seek this Holy Night
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| «Tell us, ye birds, why come ye here
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| Into this stable, poor and drear?»
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| «Hast'ning, we seek the new-born King
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| And all our sweetest music bring.»
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| Hark! |
| how the greenfinch bears his part
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| Philomel, too, with tender heart
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| Chants from her leafy dark retreat
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| Re, mi, fa, sol, in accents sweet
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| Angels and shepherds, birds of the sky
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| Come where the Son of God doth lie;
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| Christ on earth with man doth dwell
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| Join in the shout, «Noël, Noël!»
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| French version and alternate translation
|
| VOICI L'ÉTOILE DE NOËL
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| Voici l'étoile de Noël!
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| Quel est ce bruit sur la maison?
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| C’est une troupe d’oiselets
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| À Bethlehem vont deux a deux
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| Dans l’etable òu le Roi Du Ceil
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| Dort entre l’ane et le boeuf brun
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| Pourquoi venez-vous donc, oiseaux?
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| «Nous venons pour adorer Dieu!»
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| Pour honorer le Fils De Dieu
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| Venez en grande dévotion
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| Anges, berges, oiseaux du ceil
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| Chantez Noël! |
| Chantez Noël!
|
| Translation:
|
| Here is the Christmas star!
|
| What is this noise on the house?
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| It’s a flock of little birds
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| Going to Bethlehem two by two
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| Into the stable where the King of Heaven
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| Sleeps between the donkey and the brown ox
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| Why do you come, then, birds?
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| «We come to worship God!»
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| To honor the Son of God
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| Come with great devotion
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| Angels, villagers, birds of the sky!
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| Sing Noël! |
| Sing Noël! |