Il est né, le divin enfant

French Christmas Carol – Lyrics and Translation

Video with lyrics for the French Christmas carol Il est né, le divin enfant and the literal English translation. As far as I know, there’s no English-language equivalent to this song.

French listening comprehension Listening comprehension: See the links at the bottom for lessons related to the phrases in italics.

Il est né, le Divin Enfant He is born, the Divine Child
Il est né, le Divin Enfant,
Jouez hautbois, résonnez musette.
Il est né, le Divin Enfant,
Chantons tous son avènement. (Refrain)
Translation

He is born, the Divine Child,
Play the oboe, resonate musette.
He is born, the Divine Child,
Let us all sing his accession. (Chorus)

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Depuis plus de quatre mille ans
Nous le promettaient les prophètes,
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans
Nous attendions cet heureux temps.

Refrain

Translation

For more than four thousand years
We’ve been promised by the prophets,
For more than four thousand years
We’ve been waiting for this happy time.

Chorus

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Ah, qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant,
Ah, que ses grâces sont parfaites.
Ah,  qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant,
Qu’il est doux ce Divin Enfant.

Refrain

Translation

Oh, he’s so beautiful, he’s so delightful,
Oh, his charms are so perfect.
Oh, he’s so beautiful, he’s so delightful,
This Divine Child is so sweet.

Chorus

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Une étable est son logement,
Un peu de paille est sa couchette,
Une étable est son logement,
Pour un dieu quel abaissement.

Refrain

Translation

A stable is his lodging,
A bit of hay is his little bed,
A stable is his lodging,
For a god such humbling.

Chorus

[collapse]
O Jésus, ô Roi tout puissant,
Tout petit enfant que vous êtes,
O Jésus, ô Roi tout puissant,
Régnez sur nous entièrement.

Refrain

Translation

O Jesus, o all powerful King,
Such a little child you are,
O Jesus, o all powerful King,
Rule completely over us.

Chorus

[collapse]
Video courtesy of Mister Toony. Translation by LKL

 Listening comprehension

 Pronunciation

Why is divin enfant pronounced [div i nã fã] rather than [di vɛ̃ nã fã]? This is a result of the required liaison between divin and enfant: in, which is normally pronounced [ɛ̃], changes to [in] (it denasalizes and the vowel i changes pronunciation) in front of the vowel at the beginning of enfant.

French Christmas Links

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