Choral Choir (SSA) - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1113190 By Traditional French. By Sylvia Miles. Arranged by Sylvia Miles. Christmas,Early Music,Folk,Praise & Worship,Traditional. Octavo. 5 pages. Sylvia Miles #715143. Published by Sylvia Miles (A0.1113190). The tune of this Provençal carol has been known since the 14th century; originally it was a lively dance. It was first published as a carol in France in 1553. The words were written by Emile Blémont, based on a much earlier folk text: it tells the story of two milkmaids, Jeannette and Isabelle, who go to milk their cows in a cowshed near Bethlehem. When they get there, they find Jesus asleep in the hay ... and you know the rest of the story. To this day, children in the Provence region dress up as shepherds and milkmaids, and carry torches to Midnight Mass while singing the carol. Here, I've put verse 1 in French with (underneath) a translation crib, and verse 2 and 3 in English. Contact me if you want all the verses in French!