Scripture Verse

We…are come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2

Introduction

Words: French ca­rol from Bas-Quer­cy (No­ël des Au­sèls); trans­lat­or un­known. Pub­lished in Christ­mas ca­rols and Hymns, by Hol­lis E. Dann (New York; Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Am­er­ican Book Com­pa­ny, 1910), page 5.

Music: Bas-Quer­cy, French ca­rol tune (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know the trans­lat­or’s name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Whence comes this rush of wings afar,
Following straight the Noël star?
Birds from the woods in wondrous flight,
Bethlehem seek this holy night.

Tell us, ye birds, why come ye here,
Into this stable, poor and drear?

Hastening we seek the newborn King,
And all our sweetest music bring.

Hark how the greenfinch bears his part,
Philomel, too, with tender heart,
Chants from her leafy dark retreat,
Re, mi, fa, sol, in accents sweet.

Angels and shepherds, birds of the sky,
Come where the Son of God doth lie;
Christ on the earth with man doth dwell,
Join in the shout, Noël, Noël!