Quelle est cette odeur agréable (Traditional)

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  • (Posted 2008-12-13)  CPDL #18482:  Network.png
Editor: Rod Mather (submitted 2008-12-13).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 54 kB   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: Arranged by Rod Mather. French traditional arr. Rod Mather with original French text and alternative English translation underlay, "Where is that goodly fragrance flowing".

General Information

Title: Quelle est cette odeur agreable
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SacredCarol

Languages: French, English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 2008
Description: The melody appears in John Gay's Beggars Opera of 1778.

External websites:

Original text and translations

French.png French text


Quelle est cette odeur agréable,
Bergers, qui ravit tous nos sens ?
S’exhale-t-il rien de semblable
Au milieu des fleurs du printemps ?
Quelle est cette odeur agréable
Bergers, qui ravit tous nos sens ?

Mais quelle éclatante lumière
Dans la nuit vient frapper nos yeux
L’astre de jour, dans sa carrière,
Fut-il jamais si radieux!
Mais quelle éclatante lumière
Dans la nuit vient frapper nos yeux.

A Bethléem, dans une crèche
Il vient de vous naitre un Sauveur
Allons, que rien ne vous empêche
D’adorer votre rédempteur
A Bethléem, dans une crèche,
Il vient de vous naître un Sauveur.

Dieu tout puissant, gloire éternelle
Vous soit rendue jusqu’aux cieux.
Que la paix soit universelle
Que la grâce a bonde en tous lieux.
Dieu tout puissant, gloire éternelle
Vous soit rendue jusqu’aux cieux

English.png English translation

Translation by Rod Mather
Where is that goodly fragrance flowing
to steal the senses all away?
adorns the air, and nothing like it
the shepherds sensed in fields in May?
Where is that goodly fragrance flowing
to steal the senses all away?

A light so bright, a beam so piercing
it turns our darkness into day.
The light of Christ, it is so radiant,
the beam it casts to be our way.
A light so bright, a beam so piercing
it turns our darkness into day.

Shepherds to Bethlehem, go hasten!
And in a manger see him lay.
Adore your God and your redeemer;
Saviour of all to win the day
Shepherds to Bethlehem, go hasten!
And in a manger see him lay.

All pow'rful God, and King eternal,
The heavens praise with one accord.
Grace, peace anf truth give to all nations
Spring forth from Jesus Christ our Lord.
All pow’rful God, and King eternal,
The heavens praise with one accord.

English.png English translation

Translation by A. B. Ramsay
Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away?
Never the like did come a-blowing,
Shepherds, from flow'ry fields in May.
Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away?

What is that light so brilliant breaking
Here in the night across our eyes?
Never so bright the day-star waking
Started to climb the morning skies.
What is that light so brilliant breaking
Here in the night across our eyes?

Bethlehem, there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer, haste away!
Run ye with eager footsteps hieing,
Worship the Saviour born today.
Bethlehem, there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer, haste away!