I'm looking for information on a Christmas carol I grew up with.  It
was passed down on the Belgian (Walloon) side of my family, and I'm
told what I learned was a rough translation.   My father isn't able to
translate it back, but I'd like to learn it in its original form, and
hopefully find out its title and origin.

The lyrics are as follows:
On December 25th sing-
Foom, Foom, Foom 
On December 25th sing-
Foom, Foom, Foom

On that night a child was born
All pink and white at break of morn
In a stable dark and dreary
Came the Son of Virgin Mary

Foom, Foom, Foom
Foom, Foom, Foom

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 27 Dec 2005 12:02 PST

Gingerwa,

There is a  Catalan Carol, sometimes called Fum Fum Fum, that is
thought to have been written in the 16th or 17th century

The lyrics are similar to the ones you posted.

?On the twenty-fifth of December
Fum, fum, fum (Smoke, smoke, smoke)
A little baby was born
Blond and pale
Son of Virgin Mary
Was born in a cowshed
Fum, fum fum?

At the link below you?ll find an English version, followed by the
original Catalan lyrics, with a midi.
http://www.mamalisa.com/blog/?p=130

Listen to the midi version here:
http://www.mamalisa.com/midi/fumfum.mid


Does this sound like the song you?re looking for?

Thanks, 
Bobbie7

---

Clarification of Question by gingerwa-ga on 27 Dec 2005 12:11 PST

That is in fact it!   Thank you so much.  I've been hunting for the
origins of that song for years - I never expected to have it in
minutes!

Merry Christmas to you - 
gingerwa-ga

Dear Gingerwa,

Merry Christmas to you too!!!

I am reposting the information below to make the answer official.

Sincerely, 
Bobbie7


There is a  Catalan Carol, sometimes called Fum Fum Fum, that is
thought to have been written in the 16th or 17th century.

The lyrics are similar to the ones you posted.

?On the twenty-fifth of December
Fum, fum, fum (Smoke, smoke, smoke)
A little baby was born
Blond and pale
Son of Virgin Mary
Was born in a cowshed
Fum, fum fum?

At the link below you?ll find an English version, followed by the
original Catalan lyrics, with a midi.
http://www.mamalisa.com/blog/?p=130

Listen to the midi version here:
http://www.mamalisa.com/midi/fumfum.mid


"The word "fum" should be pronounced foom, with short double 'o'. It
is an imitation of the sound of the strumming of string instruments,
quite common in Spain and in southern Italy"

Here's another copy of the lyrics
http://www.ctspanish.com/christmas/fum.htm

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 27 Dec 2005 12:24 PST

The song Fum Fum Fum in on the CD Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns
and Carols (track 15).
 
Listen to a song sample at Amazon or purchase here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003D0G/103-8989118-0440621?v=glance


Fum, fum fum! Sung in Spanish by Leo Trottier  
Traditional Spanish Tune 
This Carol, written in Spanish, is Catalan in origin, but was adopted
by all of Spain.
http://www.act.ca/cd.htm


Download MP· here:

http://www.act.ca/03.MP3

My question was answered thoroughly and in just minutes after posting!