I promise to move from the obscure to the heart-warmingly familiar. But first, you must hear this. Claude Debussy was an early 20th-century French composer, most known for his impressionist works such as Clair de Lune and Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune.
This work was composed in anger and frustration at the Germans for invading France, and the text expresses it this way:
Our houses are gone! The enemy has taken everything, even our little beds!
They burned the school and the schoolmaster.
They burned the church and theLord Jesus!
And the poor old man who couldn't get away!
Our houses are gone! The enemy has taken everything, even our little beds!
Of course, Papa hasgone to war. Poor Mama died before she saw all this.
Christmas! Little Christmas! Don't go to their houses, never go there again.
Punish them!
Avenge the children of France! The little Belgians, the little Serbs and the little Poles, too!
If we've forgotten anyone, forgive us.
Christmas! Christmas! Above all, no toys.
Try to give us our daily bread again.
Our houses are gone! The enemy has taken everything, even our little beds!
Theyburned the school and the schoolmaster.
They burned the church and the Lord Jesus!
And the poor old man who couldn't get away!
Christmas, listen to us.
Our wooden shoes are gone,
but grant victory to the children of France!
It's an amazing piece! Originally meant as an accompanied solo, this is a version for children's choir. My #9 choice: Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maisons, by Claude Debussy.
Noel Des Enfants Qui N'ont Plus De Maisons
What a moving piece, especially when performed by children's choir. It's a shame that it bears significance in so many parts of the world still today. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Wendy | 2011.12.18 at 05:21