The Huron Carol is undeniably Canada's first Christmas carol. Jesuit missionary, Father Saint Jean de Brebeuf wrote it in 1643 in the language of the Huron people. Father Brebeuf wrote lyrics to tell the story of the birth of Christ using terms they would understand. For example, Gitchi Manitou is the Native American name for God - or the Great Spirit. Instead of telling the biblical account of a "baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger", he chose to have the infant wrapped in rabbit skins and laid in a "lodge of broken bark." 

Father Brebeuf was captured and slain by the Iroquois on March 16, 1649. He was canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI.

The carol was later translated into French. Learn more about this endearing carol on Wikipedia.

The Huron Carol
Words by Jean de Brébeuf, melody is atraditional French folk song.

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.

O children of the forest free, o sons of Manitou,
The holy Child of earth and Heav’n is born this day 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.

The Huron Carol

Arrangement and orchestrations by Ricky Tims, published by Ricky Tims Music/BMI  ©2009 All Rights Reserved.

Ricky performs: Native America flute, pump organ, keyboards, drums and additional percussion, and sings the male vocal parts.

Female vocal: Kat Bowser

For years, the Huron Carol (or 'Twas in the moon of wintertime) stayed on the fringes of my knowledge of Christmas music. After moving to La Veta, Colorado in 2004, I began paying attention to this song that mentioned "Gitchi Manitou" - a name used for the "Great Spirit" in Native American cultures. As the song slowly filtered into my life I let the melody seep into my soul. Moreover, the lyrics began to conjure images of a different type of nativity - one that embodied the Native American spirit. 

This would not have happened if I had not embraced playing the Native American flute in 2005. The Native American flute has a magical way of washing away negativity and infusing a sense of peace. Utilizing it on my recordings has become second nature to me. Perhaps on this piece, the flute represents the voice of the storyteller whose message drifts on the wings of the wind. I hope you will allow that voice to permeate your soul and bring you a joyous assurance of good will. 

The first time we actually hear the Huron Carol melody, it is played on an organ. The "organ" is a mixture of my one-hundred year old pump organ and a synthesized organ sound. The two have been combined to create a reverence typically associated in holy places such as cathedrals. My choice for juxtaposing this distinctly 'European' organ aside the Native American flute symbolizes the convergence of cultures that occurred when Father Brébeuf brought his Western experiences into a world that was still wild and expansive. Following the organ solo, the piece continues as an homage to the spirit of all Native Americans.

The historic stage on which this song was written - and on which the subsequent oppression of the Native American people played out, has become the basis for the the respectful spirit undergirding this arrangement. Father Brébeuf composed lyrics that were an obvious attempt to build a bridge to the culture in which he found himself surrounded. I hope this arrangement will also be a bridge, for it is created with respect for those for whom the song was originally written - the Huron People.