Huron Carol
Chanticleer Lyrics


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Ehstehn yayau deh tsaun we yisus ahattonnia
O na wateh wado: kwi nonnwa 'ndasqua entai
ehnau sherskwa trivota nonnwa 'ndi yaun rashata
Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Ayoki onki hm-ashe eran yayeh raunnaun
yauntaun kanntatya hm-deh 'ndyaun sehnsatoa ronnyaun
Waria hnawakweh tond Yosehf sataunn haronnyaun
Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Chretiens, prenez courage,
Jesus Sauveur est ne!
Du malin les ouvrages
A jamais sont ruines.
Quand il chante merveille,
A ces troublants appas
Ne pretez plus l'oreille:
Jesus est ne, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Oyez cette nouvelle,
Dont un ange est porteur!
Oyez! ames fideles,
Et dilatez vos coeurs.
La Vierge dans l'etable
Entoure de ses bras
L'Enfant-Dieu adorable.
Jesus est ne, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Let Christian men take heart today
The devil's rule is done;
Let no man heed the devil more,
For Jesus Christ is come
But hear ye all what angels sing:
How Mary Maid bore Jesus King.
Iesus Ahattonnia, Jesus is born, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Three chieftains saw before Noel
A star as bright as day,
"So fair a sign," the chieftains said,
"Shall lead us where it may."
For Jesu told the chieftains three:




"The star will bring you here to me."
Iesus Ahattonnia, Jesus is born, Iesus Ahattonnia.

Overall Meaning

The Huron Carol is a traditional Native American Christmas hymn originally written in the Huron language by a Jesuit missionary named Jean de Brébeuf in the mid-1600s. It was later translated into French and English but has since been translated into many other languages. The lyrics are a beautiful tribute to the nativity story, conveying the message of Jesus' birth in a way that is both reverent and accessible to the Huron people.


The first verse speaks of the birth of Jesus, calling him "yisus ahattonnia" which translates to "Jesus, he is born". The second verse recounts the arrival of the three wise men, or chieftains, who follow a star to find the newborn king. The final verse is a call to all Christians to take heart and remember the significance of Jesus' birth. The lyrics are both solemn and joyful, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful, making this a beloved Christmas carol that is still sung throughout Canada and the United States today.


Line by Line Meaning

Ehstehn yayau deh tsaun we yisus ahattonnia
Listen how Jesus Christ is born in the Huron tongue


O na wateh wado: kwi nonnwa 'ndasqua entai
He comes among us without ceasing, do not forget Him


ehnau sherskwa trivota nonnwa 'ndi yaun rashata
This song is to honor the great Manitos, and the Chief of the spirits


Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia
Jesus Christ is born, He is born, Jesus Christ is born.


Ayoki onki hm-ashe eran yayeh raunnaun
The heavenly child was born long ago


yauntaun kanntatya hm-deh 'ndyaun sehnsatoa ronnyaun
He will bring peace to all the land and set us free from the evil one


Waria hnawakweh tond Yosehf sataunn haronnyaun
The Virgin Mary holds Him in her loving arms, and Joseph watches over them with grace.


Chretiens, prenez courage,
Christians, take courage


Jesus Sauveur est ne!
Jesus the Savior is born!


Du malin les ouvrages
The devil's works


A jamais sont ruines.
Are forever ruined.


Quand il chante merveille,
When He sings wonders


A ces troublants appas
To these troubling temptations


Ne pretez plus l'oreille:
Do not listen anymore:


Jesus est ne, Iesus Ahattonnia.
Jesus is born, Jesus Christ is born.


Oyez cette nouvelle,
Hear this news


Dont un ange est porteur!
That is carried by an angel!


Oyez! ames fideles,
Hear! Faithful souls,


Et dilatez vos coeurs.
And open up your hearts.


La Vierge dans l'etable
The Virgin in the stable


Entoure de ses bras
Surrounds the adorable Infant God with her arms.


L'Enfant-Dieu adorable.
The adorable God-Child.


Jesus est ne, Iesus Ahattonnia.
Jesus is born, Jesus Christ is born.


Let Christian men take heart today
Today, Christian men should take heart


The devil's rule is done;
The devil's rule is over;


Let no man heed the devil more,
Do not listen to the devil anymore,


For Jesus Christ is come
Because Jesus Christ has come.


But hear ye all what angels sing:
But listen to what the angels sing:


How Mary Maid bore Jesus King.
How the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus, the King.


Three chieftains saw before Noel
Before Christmas, three chieftains saw


A star as bright as day,
A star as bright as the day,


"So fair a sign," the chieftains said,
"Such a beautiful sign!" the chieftains said,


"Shall lead us where it may."
"It will lead us wherever it wants to go."


For Jesu told the chieftains three:
Because Jesus Himself told the three chieftains:


"The star will bring you here to me."
"The star will bring you to Me."


Iesus Ahattonnia, Jesus is born, Iesus Ahattonnia.
Jesus Christ is born, Jesus is born, Jesus Christ is born.




Writer(s): TRADITIONAL, JENNINGS JOSEPH HOWELL

Contributed by Hailey N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Klaus Baumgarten

This is a great thing to sing while dealing with the annual explosions in Acroamatic Abatement and the resurrection of Tiamat.

RaeAnna Roylance

Perhaps the most beautiful and perfect rendition I’ve ever heard!❤️

Steve Majic

An AMAZING GRACE moment indeed!!!!!!! BLESSINGS UPON YOU!!!!!!!🔩🌹

słowaNAwietrze

Aniele Świetlisty, dziękuję z głębi duszy za tę wspólną wędrówkę do Betlejem... Za to niewypowiedziane Wzruszenie, które otwiera serce na Miłość i Światło...

Rodney Blackman

Hauntingly Beautiful !

Karalynn Black

Just beautiful

Metalpazallteway

The BEST version yet ever heard If I may say

Rony Hyacinthe

The VERSION EVER

margareterosenberg

Margaret E. Rosenberg,
I get chills and awe of to be reminded of the birth of our Heavenly Lord Jesus Christ

G. Bateman

I have never heard a more beautiful arrangement of this piece. Amazing!

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