The First Noel
The First Nowell ( The First Christmas, also written The First Noël ) is a traditional English Christmas carol. It sings of the birth of Jesus Christ and the Adoration of the Infant Jesus by the Three Wise Men from the East, which led as gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh with them (Mt 2,11 EU). Nowell is another word for noël, the French word for Christmas.
In its current form it is Cornish origin. It was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern Collection ( 1823).
It is often performed in the four -part harmony by the English composer John Stainer from his Christmas Carols, New and Old ( first published 1871 ).
There are numerous edits and countless recordings of this song in a variety of styles. The well-known text versions sometimes differ slightly from each other.
Text
The first Nowell the angel did say what to Certain poor shepherds in fields as They lay; in fields as They lay, keeping Their sheep, on a cold winter 's night did what so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
They Looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far, and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued Both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
And by the light of did same star three wise men came from country far; to seek for a King what Their intent, and to follow the star whersoever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
This star drew nigh to the northwest, o'er Bethlehem It took its rest, and there it did Both stop and stay right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Then entered in setting Those three wise men full reverently upon Their knee Offered and there in his presence Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
The first Christmas, as the angel said, was for some poor shepherds who were in the fields, in the fields and keeping watch and they lay their sheep, in a cold, dark winter night.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star far above them in the east shine. And the earth he lit bright and so it went on, day and night.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel.
And by the light of the same star Three Wise came from a distant land To search for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever you go, wherever he went.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel.
This star drew up in the northwest, Finally, he stopped over Bethlehem. And there he stopped and stood still, exactly over the place where Jesus lay.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel.
Then went into the Three Wise Men, were awesome on her knees And sacrificed in his presence Gold, myrrh and frankincense.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel.
Let us all with one accord praise, our heavenly Lord sing praises, Heaven and earth has created out of nothing and has redeemed with his blood mankind.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel.
Miscellaneous
The English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) wrote in 1958, shortly before his death, the vocal writing The First Nowell ( " First Christmas "), for soloists, choir and small orchestra.