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.

Cultural References, Idioms and Explanations

‘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, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing

[Chorus]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera hautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc sing résonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera musettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl impera toustouseveryone, everybody | pron sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing avènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing

[Verse 1]
Depuisdepuissince; for (length of time); from | prep plusplusmore | adv dedeof; from | prep quatrequatrefour | adj | masc and fem sing and pl millemillethousand, one thousand | adj | invariable ansanyear | noun | masc pl
Nousnouswe, us | pron | first pers pl, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disj lelethe | art, def | masc sing promettaientpromettreto promise | verb, irreg | third pers pl imperf leslesthe | art, def | masc and fem pl prophètesprophèteprophet, seer | noun | masc pl
Depuisdepuissince; for (length of time); from | prep plusplusmore | adv dedeof; from | prep quatrequatrefour | adj | masc and fem sing and pl millemillethousand, one thousand | adj | invariable ansanyear | noun | masc pl
Nousnouswe, us | pron | first pers pl, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disj attendionsattendreto wait (for) | verb, reg | first pers pl pres cetcetthis, that | adj, dem | masc sing before vowels heureuxheureuxhappy | adj | masc sing and pl tempstempstime | noun | masc sing

[Chorus]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera hautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc sing résonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera musettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl impera toustouseveryone, everybody | pron sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing avènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing

[Verse 2]
Ah,ahah, oh | interj qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres beau,beauhandsome, attractive, beautiful | adj | masc sing qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres charmantcharmantdelightful, lovely, charming, sweet | adj | masc sing
Ah,ahah, oh | interj quequethat, than | conj sesseshis, her its, one's | adj, poss | masc and fem pl grâcesgrâcegrace, charm; pardon, mercy | noun | fem pl sontêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers pl pres parfaitparfaitperfect | adj | fem pl
Ah,ahah, oh | interj qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres beau,beauhandsome, attractive, beautiful | adj | masc sing qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres charmantcharmantdelightful, lovely, charming, sweet | adj | masc sing
Qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres douxdouxsoft; gentle; sweet | adj | masc sing and pl cecethis, that | adj, dem | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing

[Chorus]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera hautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc sing résonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera musettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl impera toustouseveryone, everybody | pron sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing avènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing

[Verse 3]
Uneunea | art, indef | fem sing étableétablebarn, stable | noun | fem sing estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing logementlogementhousing, accomodation; room, house, apartment, dwelling | noun | masc sing
Ununa | art, indef | masc sing peupeulittle, a little (bit), not much | adv dedeof; from | prep paillepaillestraw; drinking straw | noun | fem sing estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres sasahis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | fem sing couchettecouchettebunk | noun | fem sing
Uneunea | art, indef | fem sing étableétablebarn, stable | noun | fem sing estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing logementlogementhousing, accomodation; room, house, apartment, dwelling | noun | masc sing
Pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's ununa | art, indef | masc sing dieudieugod | noun | masc sing quelquelwhich, what | adj | masc sing abaissementabaissementlowering, reduction; humbling, debasement | noun | masc sing

[Chorus]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera hautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc sing résonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera musettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl impera toustouseveryone, everybody | pron sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing avènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing

[Verse 4]
Partez,partirto leave, go | verb, irreg | sec pers pl impera grandsgrandbig, large; grand, great, tall | adj | masc pl roisroiking | noun | masc pl dedeof; from | prep l’le, lathe | art, def | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsOrientOrientEast, Orient | noun | masc sing
Venezvenirto come | verb, irreg | sec pers pl impera vousvousyou | pron | sec pers pl, formal sing, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disj unirunirunite, join; marry, wed | verb, reg | infin | s'unir = unite, join forces; get married ààat, to, in | prep nosnosour | adj, poss | masc and fem pl fêtesfêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem pl
Partez,partirto leave, go | verb, irreg | sec pers pl impera grandsgrandbig, large; grand, great, tall | adj | masc pl roisroiking | noun | masc pl dedeof; from | prep l’le, lathe | art, def | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsOrientOrientEast, Orient | noun | masc sing
Venezvenirto come | verb, irreg | sec pers pl impera adoreradorerto love; really like; adore | verb, reg | infin cetcetthis, that | adj, dem | masc sing before vowels enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing

[Chorus]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera hautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc sing résonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera musettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl impera toustouseveryone, everybody | pron sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing avènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing

[Verse 5]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub veutvouloirto want | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nosnosour | adj, poss | masc and fem pl cœurs,cœurheart | noun | masc pl ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub leslesthe | art, def | masc and fem pl attendattendreto wait (for) | verb, reg | third pers sing pres
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's fairefaireto do; to make | verb, irreg | infin | faire la conquête de = win over, win the heart of leurleur(to) them | pron | third pers pl, indir obj | faire la conquête de = win over, win the heart of conquêteconquêteconquest | noun | fem sing | faire la conquête de = win over, win the heart of
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub veutvouloirto want | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nosnosour | adj, poss | masc and fem pl cœurs,cœurheart | noun | masc pl ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub leslesthe | art, def | masc and fem pl attendattendreto 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 sing doncdonctherefore, so | conj, adv promptementpromptementpromtly, rapidly, quickly | adv

[Chorus]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera hautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc sing résonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera musettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl impera toustouseveryone, everybody | pron sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing avènementavènementadvent, coming; accession | noun | masc sing

[Verse 6]
Ôôo, oh | interj Jésus,JésusJesus | noun, prop ôôo, oh | interj Roiroiking | noun | masc sing tout-puissanttout-puissantall-powerful, almighty | adj | masc sing
Touttoutall, entirely, very | adv petitpetitsmall, little | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing quequethat, than | conj vousvousyou | pron | sec pers pl, formal sing, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disj êtesêtreto be | verb, irreg | sec pers pl pres
Ôôo, oh | interj Jésus,JésusJesus | noun, prop ôôo, oh | interj Roiroiking | noun | masc sing tout-puissanttout-puissantall-powerful, almighty | adj | masc sing
Régnezrégnerto reign, rule | verb, stm chg | sec per pl impera | régner sur = to reign over, rule over sursuron, upon; on top of, above | prep nousnouswe, us | pron | first pers pl, sub, dir obj, indir obj, disj entièremententièremententirely, completely, totally | adv

[Chorus]
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Jouezjouerto play | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera hautbois,hautboisoboe; oboe player | noun | masc sing résonnezrésonnerto resonate, echo; sound, ring, ring out | verb, reg | sec pers pl impera musettesmusetteaccordion; canvas bag | noun | fem pl
Ililhe, it | pron | masc third pers sing, sub estêtreto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres nénaîtrebe born | verb, irreg | pp lelethe | art, def | masc sing divindivindivine, from God; exquisite | adj | masc sing enfantenfantchild, kid | noun | masc and fem sing
Chantonschanterto sing | verb, reg | first pers pl impera toustouseveryone, everybody | pron sonsonhis, her, its, one's | adj, poss | masc sing avènementavènementadvent, 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

Grammatical Concepts Used in this Song

• Possessive Adjectives:
  • Chantons tous son avènement
  • Une étable est son logement
  • Ah, que ses grâces sont parfaites
  • Un peu de paille est sa couchette
  • Venez vous unir à nos fêtes

• Demonstrative adjectives:
  • Nous attendions cet heureux temps
  • Venez adorer cet enfant
  • Qu’il est doux ce divin enfant

• Object Pronouns:
  • Nous le promettaient les prophètes
  • Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend
  • Il est là pour faire leur conquête
  • Donnons-les lui donc promptement

• Reflexive Pronouns:
  • Venez vous unir à nos fêtes

• Disjunctive Pronouns:
  • Régnez sur nous entièrement

• Irregular Verbs:
  • être:
    • Il est né le divin enfant
    • Ah, qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant
    • Qu’il est doux ce divin enfant
    • Une étable est son logement
    • Un peu de paille est sa couchette
    • Il est là pour faire leur conquête
    • Ah, que ses grâces sont parfaites
    • Tout petit enfant que vous êtes
  • vouloir:
    • Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend

• Reflexive:
  • Venez vous unir à nos fêtes

• Imperative:
  • Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes
  • Chantons tous son avènement
  • Partez ô rois de l’orient
  • Venez vous unir à nos fêtes
  • Venez adorer cet enfant
  • Donnons-les lui donc promptement
  • Régnez sur nous entièrement

• Imperfect:
  • Nous le promettaient les prophètes