Starting out as a dance song for the French nobility,
the music is thought to have originated in Provencal, France, possibly as
early as the 14th century.Also known by its French name "Un Flambeau,
Jeanette, Isabella", there have been several thoughts about the inspiration
for the song including the tradition of building a crhche to honour the
baby Jesus and a Nativity scene painting by Georges de la Tour, which shows
two girls watching the baby.Emile Blemont added words to the tune in the 19th century and they
relate the story of two milkmaids stumbling upon the baby Jesus in his
manger and they rush back to tell the people from their village, who all
carry torches to go and see him for themselves.The music for the carol heard today is generally credited
to the French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier that was adapted by the
collector of his works, Louis-Denis Seguin and a version also been
attributed to the French composer Nicolas Saboly. There have also been many
claims as to when it was first published going from the compilation Cantiques
de Premiere Advenement de Jesus-Christ by a French count in 1553 to Noel
Francais by Julien Tiescot in 1901.Edward Cuthbert Nunn made the translation that is
regularly heard at English carol services today and traditionally in France
the children in the Provence area dress up as milkmaids and shepherds and
sing the carol while travelling to the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.John Rutter & The Cambridge
Singers, Kathleen Battle and Joan Baez have made recordings of the carol
and the American composer Leroy Anderson included it as part of his Suite
of Carols for String Orchestra.
Leroy Anderson and His Orchestra recordings
Decca B0003552-02 (CD: A Leroy Anderson Christmas)
