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“Il Est Né, le Divin Enfant”
a Traditional French
Christmas Carol
for Mountain & Hammered
Dulcimers
by Lois Hornbostel
This melody began as a Normandy hunting song
and was later published in R. Grosjean’s Airs des
Noel Lorrain (1862), with one of many lyrics that
announce “He is Born, the Divine Infant.”
The musical score below is in its’ popular 4/4 time
signature, but the durable melody fares equally
well in 3/4 time and its original 6/8 time.
I play this piece in all three time signatures as part of my contribution to Susan
Trump’s new CD compilation, “Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer Play Music for
Christmas.” It features many well-known dulcimer artists playing their favorite
Christmas music (The Nashville Dulcimer Quartet, David Schnaufer, Sue Carpenter,
Janita Baker, Tull Glazener, Sarah Elisabeth, Lois Hornbostel, Maureen Sellers,
Lorinda Jones, Beth Lassi & Nina Zanetti, Susan Trump, Lorraine Hammond,
Stephen Seifert, Steve Eulberg, Linda Brockinton, and Gary Gallier).
To order this CD just e-mail me at Loisdulc@verizon.net
Listen to “Il Est Né le Divin Enfant” played in 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 time.
Lois Hornbostel, mountain dulcimer. Guy George on tinwhistle. Dan Landrum,
percussion. Recorded by Stephen Seifert.
TablEdit typesetting by Terry Lewis.

Here are some of the traditional lyrics,
In English:
Chorus:
He is born, the Heav'nly Child,
Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding
He is born, the Heav'nly Child.
Let all sing his nativity.
Verses:
1. 'Tis four thousand years and more,
Prophets have foretold His coming,
'Tis four thousand years and more,
Have we waited this happy hour.
(Repeat Chorus)
2. Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
What perfection is his graces,
Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair.
Child divine, so gentle there.
(Repeat Chorus)
3. In a stable lodged is he,
Straw is all he has for cradle.
In a stable lodged is he,
Oh how great humility!
(Repeat Chorus)
4. Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Though a little babe you come here,
Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Rule o'er us from this glad hour.
(Repeat Chorus)
In French:
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verses:
1. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les Prophetes;
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,

Nous attendions cet heureux temps.
(Repeat Chorus)
2. Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Que ses graces sont parfaites!
Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Qu'il est doux le divin Enfant!
(Repeat Chorus)
3. Une etable est son logement,
Un peu de paille, sa couchette,
Une etable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement!
(Repeat Chorus)
4. O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous etes,
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Regnez sur nous entierement!
(Repeat Chorus)