The Huron Carol (Jesous Ahatonhia) for Clarinet and Cello

The "Huron Carol" is Canada’s oldest Christmas carol. The tune comes from a traditional folk melody that the French brought to New France (Canada) in the 17th century. Around 1642, Jesuit missionary Jean de Brébeuf composed the lyrics of the song in the native language of the Wendat (Huron) people who were living there. The song was entitled "Jesous Ahatonhia," meaning “Jesus is born.” The words explain the birth of Christ in terms that the Wendat people could relate to.