What are English lyrics to Jesus of Nazareth chant evangelique by Charles Gounod?

Answer 1

This is not even close to the literal translation.

Though poor be the chamber, Come here, come and adore,

Lo, the Lord of heaven, Hath to mortals given

Life for evermore, Life for evermore, life for evermore!

Shepherds, whose flocks were folded beside you,

Tell what was told by angel voices near,

"To you this night is born he who will guide you

Through paths of peace to living water clear."

Though poor be the chamber...etc

Kings from a far land, draw near and behold him,

Led by the beam whose warning bade ye come;

Your crowns cast down, with robe royal enfold him

Your king decends to earth from brighter home.

Though poor be the chamber...etc

Wind to the cedars proclaim the joyful story

Wave of the sea, the tidings bear afar

The night is gone, behold in all its glory

All broad and bright rises th'Eternal Morning Star

Though poor be the chamber...etc

THIS IS WHAT IT REALLY SAYS:

Ne dans une creche, Divin Redempteur (Born in a manger, divine redeemer)

Ici-bas je preche les vertus du coeur. (Right here I preach the virtues of the heart)

N'etouffez plus la voix des saints oracles (Silence not the holy oracles)

Pestiferes Lepreux du Lazareth espoir en Dieu (The plague-ridden leper Lazarus hoped/believed in God)

qui seul fait des miracles (who alone works miracles)

Je suis son fils, Jesus de Nazareth (I am your son, Jesus of Nazareth)

Plein de pitie pour la femme adultere (I take pity on the adulterous woman)

Qui s'agenouille et pleure en mon chemin (Who kneels and cries in my way)

Je dis a ceux qui lui jettent la Pierre (I say to those who throw stones)

Sur votre coeur avez-vous mis la main? (On your heart do you lay your hand? [I think that means to take a good look at your own heart before finding blame in others])

Aveugles nes, muets, paralytiques, (Blind-born, mutes, paralytics)

Pauvres perclus, boiteux, sourds approchez (poor, deaf, lame approach)

Du Roi des Rois (Of the King of kings)

chantez les saints cantiques (Sing the holy canticles [songs])

Ouvrez les yeux, levez-vous et marchez (Open your eyes, rise up and march)