The same editor also mentions an old Noël, printed to the tune of “A vous point vu la Perronelle?” made in the time of Louis XII.
Brunet, in his “Manuel,” (3rd ed. Brussels, 1821,) names the following collection of the same date. “Noels nouvellement composez a l'honneur de la nativité de nostre saulveur et redēpteur Jesu-Christ, qui se chantent sur le chāt de plusieurs belles chansons. On les vend à Lyon en la maison de Claude le Nourry dict le Prince (vers 1520), pet. in 8. goth.”
“Livret de 8 f. avec des petites gravures en bois en forme de bordures: on y remarque un Noël en langage lyonnais rustique. Vend 10 fr. Courtois.”
About 1540, Clement Marot made his celebrated version of the Psalms into French rhyme, which were sung to popular tunes, and adopted by the French Court; many of the great personages selecting particular psalms as their favourites. Some of these were probably introduced at Christmas time, as well as the noels. About the same time Calvin introduced them into his congregation at Geneva; and in the neighbouring country of England, a collection, somewhat similar, appeared by Sternhold and Hopkins.
Pasquier, whose work on France was published in 1643, makes the following mention of the custom in his younger days. “ Et en ma ieunesse c’estoit vne coustume que l'on auoit tournée en cérérmonie, de chanter tous les soirs presque en chaque famille des Noüels, qui estoient chansons spirituelles faites en l’honneur de nostre Seigneur. Lesquelles on chante encores en plusieurs Eglises pendant que l’on celébre la grand’ Messe le iour de Noüel, lors que le Prestre reçoit les offrandes. Or cette allegresse manifesta encores hors les Eglises. Parce que le peuple n’auoit moyen plus ouuert pour denoter
