Whence Art Thou, My Maiden
These English lyrics of the French song D'où viens-tu, bergère were penned by William McLennan (1856-1904) of Montreal in 1886.
This carol originated most likely in Western France. You can find three versions of this carol on our France page and also a Canadian French version here.
Whence Art Thou, My Maiden
Christmas Carol
"Whence art thou, my maiden, whence art thou?
Whence art thou, my maiden, whence art thou?"
"I come from the stable where this very night,
I, a shepherd maiden, saw a wondrous sight."
"What saw'st thou, my maiden, what saw'st thou?
What saw'st thou, my maiden, what saw'st thou?"
"There within a manger a little Child I saw,
Lying softly sleeping on the golden straw."
"Nothing more, my maiden, nothing more?
Nothing more, my maiden, nothing more?"
"I saw the Holy Mother, the little Baby hold,
And the father, Joseph, a tremble with the cold."
"Nothing more, my maiden, nothing more?
Nothing more, my maiden, nothing more?"
I saw the ass and oxen kneeling meek and mild
With their gentle breathing warm the Holy Child."
"Nothing more, my maiden, nothing more?
Nothing more, my maiden, nothing more?"
"There were three bright angels come down from the sky,
Singing forth sweet praises to the Father high."
Notes
William McLennan also wrote English versions of several old French folk songs.
