PATAPAN

Music: Bernard de la Monnoye
Arrangement: Ryan Murphy

While “Patapan” is often listed as a traditional French carol, its text and music are usually credited to the 18th-century French author Bernard de la Monnoye. It’s possible that Monnoye simply collected or adapted an existing folk melody for “Patapan,” but he almost certainly wrote the lyrics himself. He published “Patapan” under a pseudonym in 1720 as part of a collection of 30 noëls written in the Bourgogne or Burgundian dialect. The onomatopoetic title, mimicking the sound of a drum, refers to the original lyrics which speak of inviting two youths to bring their flute and drum to sing and celebrate Christmas. 

This orchestral fantasy by Ryan Murphy combines the musical motifs of “Patapan” with references to the well-known English carol “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” Likely based on a tune published in a 17th-century English dancing manual, the music for “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is also thought to have originated in France, as similar tunes are widely found on the Continent.