The First Native American Christmas Carol
According to Huron tradition, a Jesuit missionary priest,
Fr Jean de Brebeuf, wrote their first Christmas Carol around 1640-41.
The Huron built a small chapel of fir trees
and bark in honor of the manger at Bethlehem.
Aloki ekwatatennonten shekwachiendaen
Iontonk ontatiande ndio sen tsatonnharonnion
Ouarie onnawakueton ndio sen tsatonnharonnion
Iesous ahatonnia!
Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Wrapped 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.