Author's Note: Christmas is nigh and most of us will spend those days with family and loved ones, the stories about those events are multiple, the stories of the ones more unfortunate aren't.

This one will touch the spirit of this festivity. The reason why it all began, so so long ago. I hope you will enjoy the journey and hopefully the message portrayed will not be lost.


A Tale of Christmas


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Comment feront-ils, Pour ne pas sentir la bise ?

Comment feront-ils, J'ai peur qu'ils ne périssent.

Tous leurs habits sont faits de toile grise,

Il sont tous troués, on leur voit la chemise,

Les trous, les trous ne tiennent guère chaud

How do they do it, Not to smell the peck?

How will they make it, I am afraid that they perish.

All their clothes are made of grey cloth,

It's all in holes, if you can see their shirts

Holes making a hole, one will hardly stay warm.

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Quel froid il fait, Où est ma vareuse ?

Quel froid il fait, J'ai peine à cheminer.

Je sens déjà que la chair me tremblote,

Je sens déjà las, je peux plus tirer seule,

Le froid, le froid me fait geler les doigts.

Why is it this cold to me, Where is my jersey?

Why is it this cold to me, I find it difficult to walk along.

I already have a feeling that the flesh quivers me,

I feel already weary, I cannot pull alone anymore,

The cold, oh, the cold freezes my fingers.

۩


Excerpt from: Lu Pastourèu (Les Pastoureaux) (The Shepherd Boys)

Noël traditionnel d'origine Provençale

(est. 1660)