Katrina Rosales
What is That Fragrance is a traditional French carol dating back to the 17th century or early 1800s. The original French title is Quelle est cette odeur agréable, which translates to What is this lovely/pleasant fragrance?. The carol is about the Nativity of Christ and features shepherds being called to the manger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | French |
| Era | 17th century, early 1800s |
| Type | Traditional French Noël (carol) |
| Theme | Nativity of Christ |
| Melody | Folk tune |
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What You'll Learn
The origins of the carol
"What is This Fragrance" ("Quelle est cette odeur agréable?") is a traditional French carol dating back to the 17th century or early 1800s. It is a folk tune about the Nativity of Christ, with shepherds being called to the manger. The lyrics speak of a lovely fragrance, reminiscent of the scents of flowers in spring, and a tender, fair light that guides the shepherds to the Saviour's birth.
The carol has three verses, each posing a question about the fragrance, the light, and the wonder surrounding the shepherds. The first verse asks about the appealing fragrance that stirs the heart, the second verse describes the pure and blinding light showing a clear path, and the third verse expresses amazement at the magical wonder filling the air with delightful music.
The melody of "What is This Fragrance" was used by John Gay in his 1728 satirical work, "The Beggar's Opera." The carol has become a beloved part of French Christmas traditions and has been translated and adapted by various artists over the years.
While the exact origins of the carol's composition remain unknown, its enduring popularity and inclusion in Christmas celebrations testify to its ability to capture the essence of the Nativity and evoke a sense of wonder and joy.
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The meaning of the lyrics
"What is That Fragrance Sweetly French Carol?" is a traditional French carol dating back to the 17th or early 18th century. The original French title and first line of the carol are "Quelle est cette odeur agréable," which translates to "What is this lovely/pleasant fragrance?"
The carol is about the Nativity of Christ and the wonder and delight of the shepherds as they are called to the manger. The lyrics evoke a range of sensory experiences, from the sweet fragrance of flowers in spring to the radiant light of the Morning Star, all of which fill the shepherds with awe and joy.
In the first verse, the shepherds are invited to explain the source of the lovely fragrance, which is described as wafting like the scents of flowers in spring. This verse sets the scene and establishes the theme of the carol, which is the shepherds' journey to find the source of the fragrance, light, and wonder that has stirred their hearts.
The second verse continues the shepherds' journey, now focusing on the light that is streaming around them. The light is described as pure and blinding, outshining even the Morning Star. The use of the word "streaming" suggests a sense of movement and action, as the shepherds are urged to step out of the dark and follow the light that is showing their path.
The third verse introduces the element of music or sound, as the shepherds are enveloped in a wondrous atmosphere filled with music and light. They are amazed by the magic that has found them, and their ears delight in the heavenly carolling. This verse highlights the multisensory nature of the shepherds' experience, engaging their senses of smell, sight, and hearing.
Throughout the carol, the shepherds are portrayed as active participants in the Nativity story, not just passive observers. They are invited to use their senses to discover the source of the fragrance and light, and to join in the celebration of Christ's birth. The fragrance, light, and music are all symbols of the joy and wonder of the Christmas season, inviting listeners to embrace the magic and delight that the shepherds experienced on that first Christmas night.
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The melody and its history
"What is This Fragrance" ("Quelle est cette odeur agréable?") is a traditional French carol dating back to the 17th century or early 1800s. It is a folk tune about the Nativity of Christ, calling the shepherds to the manger. The lyrics paint a beautiful picture of a fragrance like the scents of flowers in spring, a tender light breaking upon wond'ring eyes, and a wonder filling the air with music light.
The melody is believed to have originated in the 17th century, and it was later used by John Gay (1685–1732) in his satirical work, "The Beggar's Opera" (1728). This carol has three verses, each posing a question about the fragrance, the light, and the wonder surrounding the Nativity scene.
The first verse asks, "What is this fragrance softly stealing? Shepherds! It sets my heart a-stir!" It goes on to describe the appeal of this sweetness, comparing it to the fairest flowers of spring. The second verse continues the query, "What is this Light around us streaming? Out of the dark – with blinding ray," and it marvels at the purity of this light, purer than the Morning Star, showing their path plainly.
The final verse shifts the focus to the surrounding wonder, asking, "What is this Wonder all around us?" It describes how this wonder fills the air with music light and brings delight to the ears of the shepherds. This carol captures the essence of the Nativity, presenting it through the senses of smell, sight, and hearing, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere.
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The song's structure
"What is That Fragrance Sweetly French Carol?" is a traditional French carol dating back to the 17th century or early 1800s. The original French title of the carol is "Quelle est cette odeur agréable?", which translates to "What is this lovely/pleasant fragrance?".
Verse 1:
"What is this fragrance softly stealing/wafting like to the scents of flow'rs in spring?"—This verse sets the scene by invoking a pleasant fragrance, akin to the scents of spring flowers, that captures the shepherds' attention.
Verse 2:
"What is this Light around us streaming/What is this light so fair, so tender, breaking upon our wond'ring eyes?"—The second verse introduces a radiant light that shines brightly, guiding the shepherds on their path.
Verse 3:
"What is this Wonder all around us/What is this Wonder all around us filling the air with music light?"—In the final verse, the shepherds encounter a magical atmosphere filled with wondrous music.
Each verse builds upon the previous one, creating a sense of growing awe and curiosity as the shepherds are led towards the manger by the fragrance, light, and wonder. The structure of the song effectively captures the shepherds' journey and their emotional response to the Nativity of Christ.
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Other versions of the carol
"What is This Fragrance" is a traditional French carol dating back to the 17th or early 18th century. The original version of the carol in French is "Quelle est cette odeur agréable?". The English translation of the carol's first verse is:
> What is this fragrance softly stealing? Shepherds! It sets my heart a-stir! Never was sweetness so appealing, Never were flowers of spring so fair! What is this fragrance softly stealing? Shepherds! It sets my heart a-stir!
Version 1
This version of the carol has a few variations in the wording but retains the same structure and melody as the original:
> What is this lovely fragrance wafting like the scents of flowers in spring? Shepherds, O tell us, whence such beauty, hear you not heavenly caroling? What is this lovely fragrance wafting like the scents of flowers in spring? What is this light so fair and tender, breaking upon our wondering eyes? Never the Morning Star so radiant followed his course o'er eastern skies. What is this light so fair and tender, breaking upon our wondering eyes? Shepherds, O haste with eager footsteps, seek the Saviour born today.
Version 2
This version of the carol has a few more variations in the wording, including a reference to the "Star of Morning" instead of the "Morning Star":
> What is this fragrance softly stealing? Shepherds, it sets my heart astir! Never was sweetness so appealing, Never were flowers of spring so fair! What is this fragrance softly stealing? Shepherds, it sets my heart astir! What is this light around us streaming? Out of the dark, with blinding ray, Purer than Star of Morning's seeming, Showing our path as plain as day! What is this light around us streaming? Out of the dark, with blinding ray!
Version 3
This version of the carol has the most variations in the wording, including a reference to "wonder" and "magic":
> What is this fragrance softly stealing? Shepherds, it sets my heart astir! Never was sweetness so appealing, Never were flowers of spring so fair! What is this wonder all around us, Filling the air with music light? Shepherds, some magic here hath found us, Never mine ears knew such delight! What is this wonder all around us, Filling the air with music light?
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Frequently asked questions
It is a song from the musical *Perfume*.
The song was written by composer Brenda Hughes and lyricist Hattie Taylor.
"That Fragrance, Sweetly French Carol" is a love song about a woman's fond memories of her time in France, particularly Paris.
