WATCH:
Doctrinal Content
In this North American Huron carol, we are reminded of the angels visit
to the shepherds (hunters) to announce that Christ, the King, is born.
Origin of Text
written in the language of the Huron people by Saint Jean de Brébeuf, SJ (Martyr for His faith)
in 1642 as “Jesous Ahatonhia”, translated first in French, the English translation by Jesse Edgar
Middleton is from 1926.
Origin of Melody
Hymn tune: Une Jeune Pucelle, French Carol
Musical Analysis
Minor key
Time Signature – 4/4
Note values – quarter, half, dotted half, dotted quarter followed by eighth, quarter rest
Intervals – ascending and descending 4th, descending Major 3rd, ascending 5th, descending
minor 3rd, descending octave
Teaching Recommendations
This Huron carol contains repetition making it easier to remember. Hugh McKellar, hymnologist and musicologist, wrote of this carol, [Brébeuf] does not present Christ’s birth as an event which happened far away and long ago, nor does he linger on its details; what matters for him is the immediacy of the Incarnation and the difference it can make in the lives not just of the Huron, but of believers in any culture.”
Copyright
Melody – Public Domain
Text – Public Domain
Location
hymnary.org
https://hymnary.org/text/twas_in_the_moon_of_wintertime
