This famous French Christmas carol dates back to the mid 19th century. This carol has 6 verses, though most versions will have some combination of 3 or 4 of the verses. While this version is certainly not my favorite, this was the only one I found that contains all 6 verses.
‘depuis’ – This term is used to describe something that started in the past and is still happening. Despite the fact that it speaks of the past, ‘depuis’ is followed by the present tense.
‘s’unir’ – The verbs ‘unir’ (‘to unite’, ‘to join’ or ‘to marry’) and ‘s’unir’ (‘to unite’, ‘to join forces’ or ‘to get married’) have very similar meanings. The difference lies in whether th subject is part of the action. ‘Unir’ is used when speaking of doing something to someone else, such as a priest marrying a couple, or someone putting together a group that they are not part of. If the subject is included, such as the couple being married, or a person joining a group, then the reflexive ‘s’unir’ will be used.
‘régner sur’ – Literally translating as ‘to reign on/above’, this phrase means ‘to reign over’ or ‘to rule over’.
‘faire la conquête de’ – Literally translating a ‘to make the conquest of’, this phras means ‘to win over’ or ‘to win the heart of’.
Activities
We’ve created flashcards, games, and exercises to practice vocabulary and grammatical concepts found in this song. Check out our Activities Page to take your learning further!
Song Lyrics with Grammatical Breakdown
Mouse over a term for grammatical information. A chart of the terms and grammatical information can be found here.
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
[Chorus] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperahautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc singrésonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperamusettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl imperatoustouseveryone, everybody | pronsonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singavènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing
[Verse 1] Depuisdepuissince; for (length of time); from | prepplusplusmore | advdedeof; from | prepquatrequatrefour | adj | masc and fem sing and plmillemillethousand, one thousand | adj | invariableansanyear | noun | masc pl Nousnouswe, us | pron | first pers pl, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disjlelethe | art, def | masc singpromettaientpromettreto promise | verb, irreg | third pers pl imperfleslesthe | art, def | masc and fem plprophètesprophèteprophet, seer | noun | masc pl Depuisdepuissince; for (length of time); from | prepplusplusmore | advdedeof; from | prepquatrequatrefour | adj | masc and fem sing and plmillemillethousand, one thousand | adj | invariableansanyear | noun | masc pl Nousnouswe, us | pron | first pers pl, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disjattendionsattendreto wait (for) | verb, reg | first pers pl prescetcetthis, that | adj, dem | masc sing before vowelsheureuxheureuxhappy | adj | masc sing and pltempstempstime | noun | masc sing
[Chorus] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperahautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc singrésonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperamusettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl imperatoustouseveryone, everybody | pronsonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singavènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing
[Verse 2] Ah,ahah, oh | interjqu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presbeau,beauhandsome, attractive, beautiful | adj | masc singqu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing prescharmantcharmantdelightful, lovely, charming, sweet | adj | masc sing Ah,ahah, oh | interjquequethat, than | conjsesseshis, her its, one's | adj, poss | masc and fem plgrâcesgrâcegrace, charm; pardon, mercy | noun | fem plsontêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers pl presparfaitparfaitperfect | adj | fem pl Ah,ahah, oh | interjqu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presbeau,beauhandsome, attractive, beautiful | adj | masc singqu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing prescharmantcharmantdelightful, lovely, charming, sweet | adj | masc sing Qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presdouxdouxsoft; gentle; sweet | adj | masc sing and plcecethis, that | adj, dem | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
[Chorus] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperahautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc singrésonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperamusettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl imperatoustouseveryone, everybody | pronsonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singavènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing
[Verse 3] Uneunea | art, indef | fem singétableétablebarn, stable | noun | fem singestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pressonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singlogementlogementhousing, accomodation; room, house, apartment, dwelling | noun | masc sing Ununa | art, indef | masc singpeupeulittle, a little (bit), not much | advdedeof; from | preppaillepaillestraw; drinking straw | noun | fem singestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pressasahis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | fem singcouchettecouchettebunk | noun | fem sing Uneunea | art, indef | fem singétableétablebarn, stable | noun | fem singestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pressonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singlogementlogementhousing, accomodation; room, house, apartment, dwelling | noun | masc sing Pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron'sununa | art, indef | masc singdieudieugod | noun | masc singquelquelwhich, what | adj | masc singabaissementabaissementlowering, reduction; humbling, debasement | noun | masc sing
[Chorus] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperahautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc singrésonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperamusettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl imperatoustouseveryone, everybody | pronsonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singavènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing
[Verse 4] Partez,partirto leave, go | verb, irreg | sec pers pl imperagrandsgrandbig, large; grand, great, tall | adj | masc plroisroiking | noun | masc pldedeof; from | prepl’le, lathe | art, def | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsOrientOrientEast, Orient | noun | masc sing Venezvenirto come | verb, irreg | sec pers pl imperavousvousyou | pron | sec pers pl, formal sing, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disjunirunirunite, join; marry, wed | verb, reg | infin | s'unir = unite, join forces; get marriedààat, to, in | prepnosnosour | adj, poss | masc and fem plfêtesfêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem pl Partez,partirto leave, go | verb, irreg | sec pers pl imperagrandsgrandbig, large; grand, great, tall | adj | masc plroisroiking | noun | masc pldedeof; from | prepl’le, lathe | art, def | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsOrientOrientEast, Orient | noun | masc sing Venezvenirto come | verb, irreg | sec pers pl imperaadoreradorerto love; really like; adore | verb, reg | infincetcetthis, that | adj, dem | masc sing before vowelsenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
[Chorus] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperahautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc singrésonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperamusettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl imperatoustouseveryone, everybody | pronsonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singavènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing
[Verse 5] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subveutvouloirto want | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnosnosour | adj, poss | masc and fem plcœurs,cœurheart | noun | masc plililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subleslesthe | art, def | masc and fem plattendattendreto wait (for) | verb, reg | third pers sing pres Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing preslàlàthere; here; (right) now | advpourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron'sfairefaireto do; to make | verb, irreg | infin | faire la conquête de = win over, win the heart ofleurleur(to) them | pron | third pers pl, indir obj | faire la conquête de = win over, win the heart ofconquêteconquêteconquest | noun | fem sing | faire la conquête de = win over, win the heart of Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subveutvouloirto want | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnosnosour | adj, poss | masc and fem plcœurs,cœurheart | noun | masc plililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subleslesthe | art, def | masc and fem plattendattendreto wait (for) | verb, reg | third pers sing pres Donnons-donnerto give | verb, reg | first pers pl imperales-lesthe | art, def | masc and fem plluiluihim, her, to him/her | pron | third pers singdoncdonctherefore, so | conj, advpromptementpromptementpromtly, rapidly, quickly | adv
[Chorus] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperahautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc singrésonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperamusettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl imperatoustouseveryone, everybody | pronsonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singavènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing
[Verse 6] Ôôo, oh | interjJésus,JésusJesus | noun, propôôo, oh | interjRoiroiking | noun | masc singtout-puissanttout-puissantall-powerful, almighty | adj | masc sing Touttoutall, entirely, very | advpetitpetitsmall, little | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem singquequethat, than | conjvousvousyou | pron | sec pers pl, formal sing, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disjêtesêtreto be | verb, irreg | sec pers pl pres Ôôo, oh | interjJésus,JésusJesus | noun, propôôo, oh | interjRoiroiking | noun | masc singtout-puissanttout-puissantall-powerful, almighty | adj | masc sing Régnezrégnerto reign, rule | verb, stm chg | sec per pl impera | régner sur = to reign over, rule oversursuron, upon; on top of, above | prepnousnouswe, us | pron | first pers pl, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disjentièremententièremententirely, completely, totally | adv
[Chorus] Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperahautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc singrésonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl imperamusettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, subestêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing presnénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pplelethe | art, def | masc singdivindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc singenfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl imperatoustouseveryone, everybody | pronsonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc singavènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing
Lyrics with Translation
Songs in any language often leave room for multiple interpretations. Following is my interpretation of the song lyrics.
Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child
[Chorus] Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes Play oboes, sound accordians Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Chantons tous son avènement Let’s all sing of his coming
[Verse 1] Depuis plus de quatre mille ans For more than four thousand years Nous le promettaient les prophètes The prophets promised it to us Depuis plus de quatre mille ans For more than four thousand years Nous attendions cet heureux temps We have been waiting for this happy time
[Chorus] Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes Play oboes, sound accordians Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Chantons tous son avènement Let’s all sing of his coming
[Verse 2] Ah, qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant Ah, how beautiful he is, how charming he is Ah, que ses grâces sont parfaites Ah, how perfect his charms are Ah, qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant Ah, how beautiful he is, how charming he is Qu’il est doux ce divin enfant How sweet is this divine child
[Chorus] Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes Play oboes, sound accordians Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Chantons tous son avènement Let’s all sing of his coming
[Verse 3] Une étable est son logement A stable is his accomodation Un peu de paille est sa couchette A little bit of straw is his bunk Une étable est son logement A stable is his accomodation Pour un Dieu quel abaissement For a God what a debasement
[Chorus] Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes Play oboes, sound accordians Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Chantons tous son avènement Let’s all sing of his coming
[Verse 4] Partez, grands rois de l’Orient Depart, great kings of the East Venez vous unir à nos fêtes Come join our parties Partez, grands rois de l’Orient Depart, great kings of the East Venez adorer cet enfant Come adore this child
[Chorus] Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes Play oboes, sound accordians Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Chantons tous son avènement Let’s all sing of his coming
[Verse 5] Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend He wants our hearts, he is waiting for them Il est là pour faire leur conquête He is here to win them over Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend He wants our hearts, he is waiting for them Donnons-les-lui donc promptement So let’s give them to him promptly
[Chorus] Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes Play oboes, sound accordians Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Chantons tous son avènement Let’s all sing of his coming
[Verse 6] Ô Jésus, ô Roi tout-puissant O Jesus, o almighty King Tout petit enfant que vous êtes Very small child that you are Ô Jésus, ô Roi tout-puissant O Jesus, o almighty King Régnez sur nous entièrement Reign over us entirely
[Chorus] Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes Play oboes, sound accordians Il est né le divin enfant He is born, the divine child Chantons tous son avènement Let’s all sing of his coming
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