Video and lyrics for the traditional French Christmas carol Çà, bergers, assemblons-nous. As far as I know, there is no equivalent English version; the translation provided here is literal.
Listening comprehension: See the links at the bottom for lessons related to the phrases in italics.
Çà, bergers, assemblons-nous
Here, shepherds, let us gather
Çà, bergers, assemblons-nous, Allons voir le Messie ; Cherchons cet Enfant si doux,
Dans les bras de Marie.
Je l’entends, il nous appelle tous,
Ô sort digne d’envie !
Here, shepherds, let us gather,
Let’s go see the Messiah;
Let’s search for this Child so sweet,
In Marie’s arms.
I hear Him, He is calling all of us,
Oh enviable fate!
Laissons là tout le troupeau, Qu’il erre à l’aventure,
Que sans nous, sur ce côteau,
Il cherche sa pâture.
Allons voir dans un petit berceau
L’auteur de la nature.
Refrain
Let us leave there all the herd,
May it wander to adventure,
Without us, on this hill,
May it seek its pasture.
Let’s go see in a little cradle
The creator of nature.
Chorus
Que l’hiver par ses frimas Ait endurci la plaine,
S’il croit arrêter nos pas,
Cette espérance est vaine.
Quand on cherche un Dieu rempli d’appas,
On ne craint point la peine.
Refrain
May winter by its cold weather
Have hardened the plain,
If it believes it will stop our steps
This hope is in vain.
When one seeks a God full of charms,
One does not fear pain.
Chorus
Sa naissance sur nos bords
Ramène l’allégresse ;
Répondons par nos transports
À l’ardeur qui le presse.
Secondons par de nouveaux efforts
L’excès de sa tendresse.
Refrain
His birth in our lands
Makes us rejoice;
Let us respond with our gifts
To the fervor that urges him.
Let us assist with new efforts
The surplus of his tenderness.
Chorus
Dieu naissant, exauce-nous,
Dissipe nos alarmes ;
Nous tombons à tes genoux
Nous les baignons de larmes ; Hâte-toi de nous donner à tous
La paix et tous ses charmes.
Refrain
Nascent God, answer our prayer,
Dispel our alarm;
We fall at your feet*
We bathe them in tears;
Make haste to give all of us
Peace and all its charms.
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