Songs I am in the Christmas spirit, thanks to the release of David Archuleta’s new CD, Christmas from the Heart. Honestly, I have never listened to Christmas music continuously before Thanksgiving. This is yet another of many firsts I have experienced, since being introduced to David Archuleta. Add this to owning an i-Pod and knowing how to use it, learning how to run a computer and maneuver the web, as well as writing posts on fansites. The list of things I have learned as an “older fan” of David Archuleta is really something and I could go on and on. David has opened up a whole new world for me, and many others, I am sure. 😉

But enough of that, this post is about a song! One that I have put on ‘repeat’ a few times since I bought David’s new Christmas album. This song is so different from other Christmas carols. The only other version I had ever heard was sung by Bing Crosby as a medley with “While Shepherds Watched their Flock.” I like David’s much better! Listen to Crosby’s version and compare.

This song is more upbeat than most of the traditional carols on David’s album, Christmas from the Heart. I really am enjoying it and would like to share it with all of you.

The Song of the Week is…

“Pat-a-pan”

“Patapan,”or more commonly known as “Pat-a-pan,” is a traditional French (specifically, Burgundian) Christmas carol. It was written by Bernard de La Monnoye (1641-1728). In French it is also known as Guillaume, prends ton tambourin, which in English means, “Willie, Take Your Little Drum.” It is told from the perspective of shepherds playing simple instruments, flutes and drums. They play their music to honor the birth of Jesus Christ.

The onomatopoetic sound of the drum gives the song its name Pat-a-pan, as it is meant to mimic the sound of the drum; an accompanying lyric, tu-re-lu-re-lu, is the sound of the flute or fife. This French song is similar conceptually to the well–known English carol, “The Little Drummer Boy” with its chorus of pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.

David’s “Pat-a-pan” was produced and arranged for David by Kurt Bestor and John Hancock. David’s version is a bit different from the original lyrics. With Kurt Bestor’s help, David added some lyrics to “Pat-a-pan”. David decided to sing the first verse in French, a language he has never spoken. With perfect diction, you would never know that he doesn’t speak French. His voice is absolutely beautiful and shows what an exceptionally talented young man he is. I have also provided the French lyrics below. The English translation of “Pat-a-pan” was first published in 1907.

Version 1 (Literal English translation)

Pat-a-pan
Willie, take your little drum,
Robin, take your flute, come!
To the sound of these instruments
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
To the sound of these instruments
I will joyfully sing Merry Christmas!

It was the way of yonder times
To praise the king of kings
To the sound of these instruments
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
To the sound of these instruments
We must do the same.

Man and God agree
About the flute and the little drum…
To the sound of these instruments
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
To the sound of these instruments
Sing! Dance! Jump around!

To the sound of flute and drum
Shepherds to the stable come
We must play our music well,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pata-patapan,
We must play our music well,
To the Savior sing Noel.

See the shepherds haste away,
We must leave without delay.
We must play our music well,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pata-patapan,
We must play our music well
To the savior sing Noel.
Patapan, Patapan.

God and man, your songs of praise,
With the flute and drum now raise!
Thus united play and sing,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pata-patapan,
Thus united play and sing
To the newborn king.
Patapan, Patapan.

God and man, your songs of praise
To the flute and drum now raise!
God and man, your songs of praise
To the flute and drum now raise!
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pata-patapan,
We must play our music well,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pata-patapan,
To the savior sing Noel.

God and man, your songs of praise
To the flute and drum now raise!
We must play our music well
To the savior sing Noel,
Noel, Noel.

Version 2 (Most like David’s)

Pat-a-pan
Willie, bring your little drum;
Robin, bring your fife and come;
And be merry while you play,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu,
Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
Come be merry while you play,
Let us make our Christmas gay!

When the men of olden days
To the King of Kings gave praise,
On the fife and drum did play,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu,
Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
On the fife and drum did play,
So their hearts were glad and gay!

God and man today become
More in tune than fife and drum,
So be merry while you play,

Tu-re-lu-re-lu,
Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
Come be merry while you play,
Sing and dance this joyful Christmas day!

Pat-a-pan (French lyrics)

Guillaume, prends ton tambourin
Toi, prends ta flûte, Robin;
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Je dirai Noël gaîment.

C’était la mode autrefois
De louer le Roi des rois
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Il nous en faut faire autant.

L’homme et Dieu sont plus d’accord
Que la flûte et le tambour;
Au son de ces instruments
Turelurelu, patapatapan
Au son de ces instruments
Chantons, dansons, sautons en!

I know I have given you quite a bit here. Now are you ready to listen to David’s beautiful interpretation of “Pat-a-pan”? Here it is, along with those lyrics. Enjoy!

Pat-a-pan (as sung by David Archuleta)

Guillo, prends ton tambourin,
Toi, prends ta flute, robin
Au son de ces instruments
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
Au son de ces instruments
Je dirai noel, gaiement.

Willie, bring your little drum.
Robin, get your fife, and come,
And be merry while you play.

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
We will listen as you play
For the joy of Christmas day.

When the men of olden days
Gave the king of kings their praise
They had pipes on which to play.

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
They had drums on which to play.
For the joy of Christmas day.

God and man became today,
More in tune than fife and drum,
So be merry while you play.

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
Come be merry while you play
On this joyous Christmas day.

While the angels wing
To the newborn king,
I will sing for the blessed babe
On this joyous Christmas day.

God and man became today,
More in tune than fife and drum,
So be merry while you play.

Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan
Come be merry while you play
On this joyous Christmas day.

While the angels wing
To the newborn king,
I will sing for the blessed babe
On this joyous Christmas day.

Tu-re-lu-re-lu-ra-le, come and hear them patapan.
Bring your little drum.
Robin, get your fife and come.
Tu-re-lu-re-lu-ra-le, come and hear them patapan.
Men of olden days
Gave the king of kings their praise.
On this joyous Christmas.
Bring your little drum.
Robin, get your fife and come.
Come be merry.
Men of olden days
Gave the king of kings their praise.
On this joyous Christmas.
Bring your little drum.
Robin, get your fife and come.
Come be merry.
Men of olden days
Gave the king of kings their praise.
On this joyous Christmas day.

Our very own Honeybee pikepss just posted a story about how Canadian fans are eager to promote the French-English “Pat-a-pan.” Long Live Canadians! Viva la Canadiens!

Have a great week all and as always, take care!
Katie

Listen to Song of Last Week.

David Archuleta, the Voice