'Twas in the moon of wintertime

'Twas in the moon of wintertime,
when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou
sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
and wondering hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus Emmanuel, 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 Emmanuel, 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 Emmanuel, 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 Child,
who brings you beauty, peace, so mild.
Jesus Emmanuel, Jesus is born,
in excelsis gloria.

Music: Une Jeune Pucelle French folk melody (16th C); harm. Jonathan McNair (20th C)
Words: Jean de Brébeuf (17th C); trans. Jesse Edgar Middleton (20th C)
Sequence: Cathouse Pandemonium, Ltd.