Written in the Burgundian dialect by lawyer/poet/critic Bernard de La Monnoye, “Pat-a-Pan” appeared in his first published collection of Christmas carols in the early 1700s. The whimsical lyrics were quite popular—and controversial, as a group of priests accused him of mocking the Bible and filed a complaint with a committee of Sorbonne professors (who wisely declined to weigh in on the matter). The English lyrics here are by Bett Butler.
Guillaume, prends ton tambourin
Toi, prends ta flûte, Robin
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Je dirai Noël gaîment
William, bring your little drum
Robin, bring your flute and come
Come be merry while we play
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
Come be merry while we play on a lovely Christmas day
C’était la mode autrefois
De louer le Roi des rois
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments Il nous en faut faire autant
As they did in olden days
to the King of Kings sing praise
Sing his praises while we play
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
Sing his praises while we play on a glorious Christmas day
L’homme et Dieu sont plus d’accord
Que la flûte et le tambour
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Chantons, dansons, sautons en
Just as God and man are one
So we are with flute and drum
one in spirit as we play
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
Rise and sing and dance and play on a joyful Christmas day
credits
from Winter Lullaby: Songs for the Christmas Child,
released November 6, 2016
Bett Butler: piano, vocals :: Joël Dilley: acoustic bass, drums, percussion, bajo quinto :: Karen Dickens Emerson: flute
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