France: The Nativity by Hermine David

         Here, Mid the Ass and Oxen Mild
         Traditional French Carol
         Charles Winfred Douglas (Translator)

         Here, mid the ass and oxen mild,
         Sleep, sleep, sleep my little Child
         Thousand seraphim, thousand cherubim
         Come from Heav'n above to guard the Lord of Love

         Here, where sweet flow'rs their fragrance bring,
         Sleep, sleep, sleep my little King,
         Thousand seraphim, thousand cherubim
         Come from Heav'n above to guard the Lord of Love

One of the oldest French carols, Here, mid the Ass and Oxen Mild (“Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris”) dates from the 13th century. The sweetly simple lyrics are perfectly paired with this gouache painting from the late 1940s by French Artist Hermine David. She excelled in miniature painting, creating numerous prints on sacred subjects, after she came to religious faith on retreats at a Benedictine Abbey. David worked in an Art Deco style with naif, elongated forms, reminiscent of El Greco. (John Kohan)