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Author/Composer’s Note: The noël, Il est Né le Divin Enfant (“He is Born, the Divine Christ Child”) is one of the most beloved and beautiful French carols to have crossed into the English-speaking world. For Christmas this year I have taken the opportunity to compose a new piano arrangement of the tune, replace the lyrics with new and original lyrics of my own, and then record the result.

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Come to Bethlehem and See

Come to Bethlehem and see
God stripped bare of majesty.
Fragile as a fresh-cut flower;
Emptied of all might and power;

__Come to Bethlehem and see
__God stripped bare of majesty.
__Come to set God’s people free.
__Jesus Christ the Lord is born.

Born into a family.
Died upon a family tree.
Raised to reign in glory.
Angels tell the story;

__Born into a family.
__Died upon a family tree.
__Off’ring life eternally.
__Jesus Christ the Lord is born.

__As my Lord is, may I be:
__Born anew in liberty.
__Peace, good-will from God to me.
__Jesus Christ the Lord is born.

As my Lord is, may I be:
Born anew in liberty.
Free from sin and sadness.
Filled with joy and gladness.

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James A. Tweedie is a retired pastor living in Long Beach, Washington. He has written and published six novels, one collection of short stories, and three collections of poetry including Mostly Sonnets, all with Dunecrest Press. His poems have been published nationally and internationally in The Lyric, Poetry Salzburg (Austria) Review, California Quarterly, Asses of Parnassus, Lighten Up Online, Better than Starbucks, Dwell Time, Light, Deronda Review, The Road Not Taken, Fevers of the Mind, Sparks of Calliope, Dancing Poetry, WestWard Quarterly, Society of Classical Poets, and The Chained Muse. He was honored with being chosen as the winner of the 2021 SCP International Poetry Competition.

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6 Responses

  2. James A. Tweedie

    Note the poems scheme: aabb aaac, aadd aaac, aaee aaac (with the last two stanzas flipped to fit the musical arrangement). I thought this somewhat original. Anyone recall it elsewhere?

    Reply
    • James A. Tweedie

      . . . With every “a” being unique (and “c” being the same word throughout).

      Reply
  3. Brian A. Yapko

    By coincidence, our choir is singing this carol this Sunday morning. After hearing your version, I much prefer it to the version we are singing!

    Reply
    • James A. Tweedie

      A beautiful coincidence, I should say. Thank you for the kind thought but the traditional words, when joined with the carol, will serve as a marvelous way to celebrate the birth of Jesus–especially if you can squeeze in an oboe and a few bagpipes!

      Merry Christmas, Brian, and a Happy New Year!

      Reply
      • Brian A. Yapko

        Alas, neither. But, as you note, still meaningful to sing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well, James!

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