Free Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella MP3 Download

"Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" (French: Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle) is a Christmas carol which originated from the Provence region of France in the 16th century.

The carol was first published in 1553 in France, and was subsequently translated into English in the 18th century. The song was originally not a song to be sung at Christmas, but rather dance music for French nobility.

The carol tells the story of two milkmaids, Jeanette and Isabella, who went to milk their cows in a manger in Bethlehem, only to find the baby Jesus sleeping in the hay. The two girls ran to town to tell the village of the coming of Christ, and the townspeople came with their own torches to view the sight for themselves. To this day in the Provence region, children dress up as shepherds and milkmaids, carrying torches and candles to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, while singing the carol.

The painter Georges de La Tour painted a nativity scene based on the carol.

Lyrics

The Newborn, painting by Georges de La Tour, based in the carol Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella.

(*) The word Hark! is sometimes substituted for Ah!

References

• Morgan, Robert J. (2003-11-30). Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella. A Pocket Paper. The Donelson Fellowship. Archived from the original on 2004-01-24. Retrieved on 2006-07-13.

1. ^ French lyrics from: Giunco, Marco. Jeanette, Isabella - Traditional. The Fast Folk Musical Magazine - October '86 - Season'S Greetings. marcogiunco.com. Archived from the original on 2005-03-12. Retrieved on 2006-07-13. apparently typed in by Marco Giunco from the lyrics sheets in the magazine given above.