QUITTEZ PASTEURS

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This is an SA arrangement of an old Flemish tune with the French text first appearing in the Recueil de noëls angevins (1874). Listen for the hint of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and a lot of open fifth bagpipe bourdons embedded in the accompaniment that give it a pastoral feel.

LYRICS

Quittez, pasteurs, vos brebis, vos houlettes
Votre hameau et le soin du troupeau
Changez vos pleurs en une joie parfaite
Allez tous adorer
Un Dieu, un Dieu, un Dieu qui vient vous consoler (2x)

Vous le verrez, couché dans une étable
Comme un enfant nu, pauvre, languissant
Reconnaissez son amour ineffable
Pour venir vous chercher
Il est, il est, il est le fidèle Berger (2x)

Esprit divin à qui tout est possible
Percez nos cœurs de vos douces ardeurs
Notre destin par vous devient paisible
Dieu prétend nous donner
Le ciel, le ciel, le ciel en venant s´incarner (2x)

Coda:
Un Dieu, un Dieu, un Dieu qui vient vous consoler
Il est, il est, il est le fidèle Berger

Translation

Shepherds, leave your sheep, your crooks
Your hamlet and the care of your sheep
Change your tears to perfect joy
All of you, go to adore
The God who has come to console you

You will see him sleeping in a stable
As a baby, naked, poor and languished
Recognize His ineffable love
That came to find you
He is the faithful Shepherd

Divine Spirit, for whom all is possible
Pierce our hearts with your gentle ardor
Because of You, our destiny becomes peaceful
God claims to give us heaven
By becoming incarnate

A God who comes to console you
He is the faithful Shepherd