05 January 2018

Happy Twelfth Day of Christmas!

Today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas. Whilst the Christmas Season in the Liturgy of the Church does not end until the eve of the Feast of the Purification of the BVM, or Candlemas, on 2 February, the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' end today.

And since there is no Saint's Feast today, here is a Christmas Carol. Today's selection is one of the most popular carols in Canada, appropriately sung in both videos by Canadian artists. Written By St Jean de Brébeuf, Martyr, a Jesuit missionary to the Wyandotte First Nation (also called the Wendat, Wyandot, and Huron by the French) who was killed by the Iroquois. It was written in Huron, and here are the words of the original (please excuse the erratic spacing. I can't seem to get it corrected):


Jesous Ahatonhia


Estenniayon de tsonwe Iesous ahatonnia
onn’ awatewa nd’ oki n’ onyouandaskwaentak

ennonchien eskwatrihotat n’onyouandiyonrachatha

Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia. Iesous ahatonnia.



Ayoki onkiennhache eronhiayeronnon

iontonk ontatiande ndio sen tsatonnharonnion

Warie onn’ awakweton ndio sen tsatonnharonnion

Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia. Iesous ahatonnia.



Achienhkontahonraskwa d’ hatirihwannens

tichion sayonniondetha onhwa achia ahatren

ondaie te hahahakwa tichion sayonniondetha

Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia. Iesous ahatonnia.



Tho ichien st’ ahation tethotondi Iesous

ahwatatende tichion stanchitehawennion

asayontorenten ihatonk atsion sken

Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia. Iesous ahatonnia.



Onne ontahation chiahonayen iesous

ahatichiennonniannon kahachia handiayon

te honannonronkwannion ihotonk werisen

Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia. Iesous ahatonnia.



Te hekwatatennonten ahekwachiendaen

ti hekwannonronkwannion de sonywentenrände

outoyeti skwannonhwe icherhe akennonhonstha

Iesous ahatonnia, ahatonnia. Iesous ahatonnia.


Jesous Ahatonhia

In English it is called The Huron Carol. It was translated from the Huron in 1926. Here are the words:

The Huron Carol


'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 wandering hunters heard the hymn:

"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."



Within a lodge of broken bark

The tender Babe was found,

A ragged robe of rabbit skin

Enwrapp'd His beauty round;

But as the hunter braves drew nigh,

The angel song rang loud and high...
"Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria."



The earliest moon of wintertime

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.



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."


The Huron Carol

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