artist:  Gabriele Lynch

date released:  2009 by Gabriele Lynch

The "Huron Carol" is a Canadian Christmas hymn written in 1643 by Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Canada.  Brebeuf wrote the lyrics in the native language of the Huron First Nations people.  The song's melody is a traditional French folk song, "Une Jeune Pucelle" (a young maid).  Jesse Edgar Middleton wrote the English lyrics.  

In the English version, Jesus is born in a "lodge of broken bark" and wrapped in a "robe of rabbit skin."  He is surrounded by hunters instead of shepherds and the Magi are chiefs from afar.  

Bruce Cockburn also recorded a version of this song.  Another Canadian singer, Loreena McKennitt rearranged the song and released it under the title, "Breton Carol" in 2008.