The Rufus Wainwright Archive






 D'où viens-tu bergère?

Martha:
D'où viens-tu, bergère, d'où viens-tu?
D'où viens-tu, bergère, d'où viens-tu?
Rufus:
Je viens de l'étable;
De m'y promener, j'ai vu un miracle
Ce soir arrivé

Martha:
Qu'as-tu vu bergère, qu'as-tu vu?
Qu'as-tu vu bergère, qu'as-tu vu?
Rufus:
J'ai vu dans la crèche, un petit enfant
Sur la paille fraîche, mis bien tendrement

Martha:
Rien de plus bergère, rien de plus?
Rien de plus bergère, rien de plus?
Rufus:
Saint' Marie, sa mère, sous un humble toit,
Saint Joseph, son père, qui tremble de froid

Martha:
Rien de plus, bergère, rien de plus?
Rien de plus, bergère, rien de plus?
Rufus:
Y'a le bœuf et l'âne qui sont par devant,
Avec leur haleine réchauffent l'enfant

Martha:
Rien de plus bergère, rien de plus?
Rien de plus bergère, rien de plus?
Rufus:
Y'a trois petits anges, descendus du ciel
Chantant des louanges du Père éternel

 TRANSLATION FRENCH

Where do you come from, shepherd, where do you come from?
Where do you come from, shepherd, where do you come from?
I come from the stable;
Walking there, I saw a miracle
That happened this evening

What did you see, shepherd, what did you see?
What did you see, shepherd, what did you see?
I saw in the manger, a little child
On the fresh straw, placed very tenderly

Anything else, shepherd, anything else?
Anything else, shepherd, anything else?
Saint Mary, his mother, under an humble roof,
Saint Joseph, his father, shivering from the cold.

Anything else, shepherd, anything else?
Anything else, shepherd, anything else?
The ox and the donkey are in front,
With their breath warming up the child

Anything else, shepherd, anything else?
Anything else, shepherd, anything else?
There are three angels, descended from heaven
Singing the praise of the eternal Father


Thanks to Kaerenn for her help in writing out the lyrics and translation

 NOTES & QUOTES

  • This homemade recording of a traditional Canadian Christmas carol was played by Kate McGarrigle during an interview on NYC's WFUV on December 16, 2005. She sings with both Rufus and Martha, who take turns singing (italicized portions indicate group vocals)