"Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris" (Between the ox and the grey donkey), also known as "Le sommeil de l'enfant Jésus" (The sleep of baby Jesus) is a French Christmas carol. One of the oldest extant carols, it has been dated to both the 13th and the 16th centuries.
The supposed presence of the two animals at the birth of Jesus may have its origin in the Book of Isaiah chapter 1 verse 3: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."
Tunes Traditional melody"Entre le boeuf et l'âne gris", Lieder Project, Carus-Verlag, SWR2
Version by François-Auguste Gevaert:"The Sleep of the Infant Jesus", hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com
Lyrics Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris dort, dort, dort le petit fils. Refrain: Mille anges divins, mille séraphins volent à l'entour de ce grand dieu d'amour.
Entre les deux bras de Marie dort, dort, dort le fruit de vie. Refrain
Entre les roses et les lys dort, dort, dort le petit fils. Refrain
Entre les pastoureaux jolis dort, dort, Jésus qui sourit. Refrain
En ce beau jour si solennel Dort, dort, dort l'Emmanuel. Refrain Between the ox and the grey donkey sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son. Refrain: A thousand divine angels, a thousand seraphim fly around this great God of love.
Between the two arms of Mary Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the fruit of life. Refrain
Between the roses and the lilies, Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps the little son. Refrain
Amidst the gentle shepherds Sleeps, sleeps Jesus who smiles. Refrain
On this beautiful, so solemn day Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps Emmanuel. Refrain
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