Tags
Canada, Gabriel Sagard, Huron, Jesuit, John Steckley, Relations des Jésuites de la Nouvelle-France, Society of Jesus, Wyandot people
Ojibwa Camp Northern Shore of Lake Huron by Frederick A. Verner (1873)
Indian encampment on Lake Huron by Paul Kane (1848–50)
Missionaries to New France had to adapt Christianity so their converts could understand it. Amerindian languages were simple languages that did not provide “black robes” with ways of expressing abstract notions. To befriend Amerindians they therefore chose to sing with their congregation.
“Jesous Ahatonhia”
The best-known piece composed for Amerindians is the Huron carol entitled: “Jesous Ahatonhia.” It was composed in 1643 for the Hurons at Ste Marie, in all likelihood, by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary, who was tortured to death by Iroquois Amerindians and has become a mythic figure. The Huron Noël belongs to Canada‘s répertoire of Christmas carols. The melody was borrowed from a French song entitled: Une jeune pucelle (A Young Maid).
Jesous was translated into French by Paul Picard, an Amerindian notary at Quebec City and, into English, by Jesse Edgar Middleton. It was then adapted for voice and piano by Healey Willan (ca 1927), an Anglo-Canadian organist and composer (12 October 1880 in Balham, London – 16 February 1968 in Toronto, Ontario).
I have written down two stanzas of the Huron carol and two stanzas of its French translation, and a full English translation. To access the lyrics, please click on Jesous Ahatonhia.
Huron lyrics Ehstehn yayau deh tsaun we yisus ahattonnia/ O na wateh wado:kwi nonnwa ‘ndasqua entai / ehnau sherskwa trivota nonnwa ‘ndi yaun rashata / Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia / Asheh kaunnta horraskwa deh ha tirri gwames / Tishyaun ayau ha’ndeh ta aun hwa ashya a ha trreh / aundata:kwa Tishyaun yayaun yaun n-dehta / Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia / French lyrics Chrétiens, prenez courage, / Jésus Sauveur est né! / Du malin les ouvrages / À jamais sont ruinés. / Quand il chante merveille, / À ces troublants appas / Ne prêtez plus l’oreille: / Jésus est né: In excelsis gloria! Oyez cette nouvelle, /Dont un ange est porteur! /Oyez! âmes fidèles, / Et dilatez vos cœurs. / La Vierge dans l’étable / Entoure de ses bras / L’Enfant-Dieu adorable. / Jésus est né: In excelsis gloria!English lyrics (Huron Noël) 🎶
‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fledThat mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria. Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria. The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria. O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
RELATED ARTICLES
- The Jesuit Relations: an Invaluable Legacy (15 March 2012)
- More on the Jesuit Relations (16 March 2012)
- Missionaries and the Noble Savage: Père Marquette and Gabriel Sagard (17 November 2012)
Sources
- Timothy J. McGee, The Music of Canada (New York, London: W.W. Norton, 1985), p. 12.
- ‘Jesous Ahatonhia,’ The Canadian Encyclopedia
© Micheline Walker
22 November 2012
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
I have just heard a few versions of this unusual carol; thank you for pointing it and first of all the story of The Huron Indians.
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Thank you so much. I should think there were many other songs, but they have not come down to us. The voyageurs and Métis composed songs, but many were burned by the Clergy. Again, many thanks and my kindest regards,
Micheline
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I thank you for your comments. The fact that they had to use the word Manitou to describe God is a good indication of what the missionaries had to face. One missionary, Chrestien Le Clercq, invented a form of writing the Amerindians could learn: hieroglyphics. Both Sagard, a friar, and Le Clercq, a priest, were Récollets and they came before and after the Jesuits, but they were accomplished linguists. Where it not for their writings, we would know very little about the seventeenth century in New France. Two sisters also left fine texts: Marie de l’Incarnation and Marguerite Bourgeoys. Thank you for writing. Kind regards, Micheline
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I am very grateful to you for letting me know it. I will be your reader.
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Micheline, my dear, the song is very nice! It is a religious song dedicated birth of our Saviour. He touched my heart and I thank you with all my heart!
Be blessed, my dear Micheline! Big hugs always with love, Stefania! 🙂
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Again, a late answer. I hope my foot recovers as soon as possible.
Hugs and love,
Micheline
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Welcome back 🙂 Hope you are fully recovered! I have never really considered this carol before. Must take a closer look!
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Kate, I did not learn it as a child, but much later. Canadian singer Alan Mills made a particularly fine recording of it, which is again available. It’s not on YouTube. What these missionaries did is impressive. God became the great Manitou!
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I learned this carol as a child. My mother was most proud of its French-Canadian lineage. Its melody and sentiments bring me right back to Christmastide in a more innocent time both for me and the world.
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Hello David,
I didn’t learn about this carol until adulthood, Like your mother I am proud of my lineage and I admire the fact that missionaries did so much for Amerindians and Métis. They did not push them around. They learned their culture. God became the Great Manitou. Thank you David. Best, Micheline
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