The four riders watched the small cottage from the crest of the hill, ignoring the cold wind that whipped around them. The sounds of joy and laughter seemed to calm the cold that surrounded them. Sywyn could only smile as he listened to the sounds of laughter and song. “And we did it without drawing weapons or shedding blood,” he said softly.
“No' ev'rythin' need be done with a blade,” Mandrel said as he nudged the paladin gently.
“'R a shootin' iron,” Shani added with a grin. “Though, we done 'nough o' thet what bein' in Mexico, over in the Territories an' even forty year back in the deep south.”
“Nice change o' pace it is,” Pania stated with a firm nod as she began to steer her horse down the trail. “I think we start ridin', we'll 'it Saint-Marie by the new year.” The others nodded and began to follow her slowly. “Plus, we've already go' a way ta give word ta the locals down there.”
“Oh, how exactly would that be?” Sywyn asked with genuine curiosity.
“I know the 'Uron an' Algonquin languages,” Pania said with a confident grin. “An' I know o' an ol' carol that'll give 'em word. I'll sing it as we ride.” There were no arguments from the others as they rode, only giving Pania the opening she needed to begin. And she did indeed sing in the native tongue that the song was originally written in. “Ehstehn yayau deh tsaun we yisus ahattonnia...”
“No' ev'rythin' need be done with a blade,” Mandrel said as he nudged the paladin gently.
“'R a shootin' iron,” Shani added with a grin. “Though, we done 'nough o' thet what bein' in Mexico, over in the Territories an' even forty year back in the deep south.”
“Nice change o' pace it is,” Pania stated with a firm nod as she began to steer her horse down the trail. “I think we start ridin', we'll 'it Saint-Marie by the new year.” The others nodded and began to follow her slowly. “Plus, we've already go' a way ta give word ta the locals down there.”
“Oh, how exactly would that be?” Sywyn asked with genuine curiosity.
“I know the 'Uron an' Algonquin languages,” Pania said with a confident grin. “An' I know o' an ol' carol that'll give 'em word. I'll sing it as we ride.” There were no arguments from the others as they rode, only giving Pania the opening she needed to begin. And she did indeed sing in the native tongue that the song was originally written in. “Ehstehn yayau deh tsaun we yisus ahattonnia...”
'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled, That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn, Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found; A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high, Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair, As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou, The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy. Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn, Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found; A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high, Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair, As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou, The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy. Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Words: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926, Music: French Canadian melody (tune name: Jesous Ahatonhia)
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