The First Noel - wikipedia The First Noel Jump to : navigation , search `` The First Nowell '' in Carols , New and Old ( 1879 ) `` The First Noel '' ( also written `` The First Noël '' and `` The First Nowell '' ) is a traditional classical English Christmas carol , most likely from the early modern period , although possibly earlier . Noel is an Early Modern English synonym of `` Christmas '' . The First Noel is of Cornish origin . Its current form was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern ( 1823 ) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols ( 1833 ) , both of which were edited by William Sandys and arranged , edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert for Hymns and Carols of God . Today , it is usually performed in a four - part hymn arrangement by the English composer John Stainer , first published in his Carols , New and Old in 1871 . Variations of its theme are included in Victor Hely - Hutchinson 's Carol Symphony . The melody is unusual among English folk melodies in that it consists of one musical phrase repeated twice , followed by a refrain which is a variation on that phrase . All three phrases end on the third of the scale . It is thought to be a version of an earlier melody sung in a church gallery setting ; a conjectural reconstruction of this earlier version can be found in the New Oxford Book of Carols . The Annunciation to the shepherds and the Adoration of the shepherds are episodes in the Nativity of Jesus described in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke ( Luke 2 ) . The Star of Bethlehem appears in the story of the Magi ( the Wise Men ) in the Gospel of Matthew ; it does not appear in the story of the shepherds . Textual comparison ( edit ) In common with many traditional songs and carols the lyrics vary across books . The versions compared below are taken from the New English Hymnal ( 1986 ) ( which is the version used in Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer 's Carols , New and Old ) , Ralph Dunstan 's gallery version in the Cornish Songbook ( 1929 ) and Reverend Charles Lewis Hutchins 's version in Carols Old and Carols New ( 1916 ) . New English Hymnal . Cornish Songbook . Carols Old and Carols New . 1 . The first Nowell the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay ; In fields where they lay , keeping their sheep , On a cold winter 's night that was so deep : Refrain Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Born is the King of Israel . 1 . O well , O well , the Angels did say To shepherds there in the fields did lay ; Late in the night a-folding their sheep , A winter 's night , both cold and bleak . Refrain O well , O well , O well , O well , Born is the King of Israel . 1 . The first Noel , the angels say To Bethlehem 's shepherds as they lay . At midnight watch , when keeping sheep , The winter wild , the light snow deep . Refrain Noel , Noel , Noel , Noel Born is the King of Israel . 2 . 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 : 2 . And then there did appear a Star , Whose glory then did shine so far : Unto the earth it gave a great light , And there it continued a day and a night . 2 . The shepherds rose , and saw a star Bright in the East , beyond them far , Its beauty gave them great delight , This star it set now day nor night . 3 . And by the light of that same star , Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek for a King was their intent , And to follow the star whersoever it went : 3 . And by the light of that same Star , Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek a King was their intent - They follow 'd the Star wherever it went . 3 . Now by the light of this bright star Three wise men came from country far ; They sought a king , such their intent , The star their guide where'er it went . 4 . This star drew nigh to the north - west ; O'er Bethlehem it took its rest ; And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay : 4 . The Star went before them unto the North West , And seemed o'er the City of Bethlehem to rest , And there did remain by night and by day , Right over the place where Jesus Christ lay . 4 . Then drawing nigh to the northwest , O'er Bethlehem town it took its rest ; The wise men learnt its cause of stay , And found the place where Jesus lay . 5 . Then entered in those Wise Men three , Full reverently upon their knee , And offered there in his presence , Their gold and myrrh and frankincense : 5 . Then enter 'd in these Wise Men three , With reverence fall on their knee , And offer 'd up in His presence The gifts of gold and frankincense . 6 . Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of nought , And with his blood mankind hath bought : 6 . ' Tween an ox manger and an ass , Our Blest Messiah 's place it was ; To save us all from bond and thrall , He was a Redeemer for us all ! References ( edit ) Wikisource has original text related to this article : The First Nowell ^ Jump up to : Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer , The First Nowell in Carols New and Old ( London : Novello , Ewer & Co. , ca 1878 ) . ^ Jump up to : The First Nowell , Hymns and Carols of Christmas . `` carol of the 16th or 17th century , but possibly dating from as early as the 13th Century . '' Barrie Jones ( ed . ) , The Hutchinson Concise Dictionary of Music , Routledge , 2014 , s.v. `` carol '' , `` Christmas carols were common as early as the 15th century . ( ... ) Many carols , such as ' God Rest You Merry Gentlemen ' and ' The First Noel ' , date from the 16th century or earlier . '' Jump up ^ Remembered as the treble part to a carol `` Hark , hark the angels sing '' , according to Annie G. Gilchrist , `` Note on the Carol `` The First Noel '' Journal of the Folk - Song Society 519 ( June 1915 ) , pp. 240 - 242 . JSTOR 4434017 Jump up ^ since the 14th century , from French Noël `` the Christmas season '' , ultimately from Latin natalis ( dies ) `` ( day ) of birth '' . `` Noel '' . Eytmonline : Online Etymology Dictionary . Retrieved 29 December 2011 . Jump up ^ Keytes and Parrott , New Oxford Book of Carols ( Oxford University Press , 1992 ) ISBN 0 - 19 - 353323 - 5 . ^ Jump up to : New English Hymnal , ( Canterbury Press , 1986 ) , No. 36 . ^ Jump up to : Ralph Dunstan , The Cornish Song Book ( London : Reid Bros. , Ltd. , 1929 ) , pp. 126 . ^ Jump up to : Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins , Carols Old and Carols New ( Boston : Parish Choir , 1916 ) , No. 643 . External links ( edit ) Free arrangements for piano and voice from Cantorion.org Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_First_Noel&oldid=816835769 '' Categories : Christmas carols Cornish folk songs Crash Test Dummies songs Bob Dylan songs Elvis Presley songs Hidden categories : Wikipedia articles needing clarification from March 2015 Talk About Wikipedia Čeština Deutsch Español Français Italiano 日本 語 Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Svenska Tagalog 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 24 December 2017 , at 01 : 22 . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply . By using this site , you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation , Inc. , a non-profit organization . About Wikipedia 
who sings the best version of the first noel
`` The First Noel '' ( also written `` The First Noël '' and `` The First Nowell '' ) is a traditional classical English Christmas carol , most likely from the early modern period , although possibly earlier . Noel is an Early Modern English synonym of `` Christmas '' . The First Noel is of Cornish origin . Its current form was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern ( 1823 ) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols ( 1833 ) , both of which were edited by William Sandys and arranged , edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert for Hymns and Carols of God . Today , it is usually performed in a four - part hymn arrangement by the English composer John Stainer , first published in his Carols , New and Old in 1871 . Variations of its theme are included in Victor Hely - Hutchinson 's Carol Symphony . The melody is unusual among English folk melodies in that it consists of one musical phrase repeated twice , followed by a refrain which is a variation on that phrase . All three phrases end on the third of the scale . It is thought to be a version of an earlier melody sung in a church gallery setting ; a conjectural reconstruction of this earlier version can be found in the New Oxford Book of Carols . The Annunciation to the shepherds and the Adoration of the shepherds are episodes in the Nativity of Jesus described in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke ( Luke 2 ) . The Star of Bethlehem appears in the story of the Magi ( the Wise Men ) in the Gospel of Matthew ; it does not appear in the story of the shepherds . In common with many traditional songs and carols the lyrics vary across books . The versions compared below are taken from the New English Hymnal ( 1986 ) ( which is the version used in Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer 's Carols , New and Old ) , Ralph Dunstan 's gallery version in the Cornish Songbook ( 1929 ) and Reverend Charles Lewis Hutchins 's version in Carols Old and Carols New ( 1916 ) . New English Hymnal . Cornish Songbook . Carols Old and Carols New . 1 . The first Nowell the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay ; In fields where they lay , keeping their sheep , On a cold winter 's night that was so deep : Refrain Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Born is the King of Israel . 1 . O well , O well , the Angels did say To shepherds there in the fields did lay ; Late in the night a-folding their sheep , A winter 's night , both cold and bleak . Refrain O well , O well , O well , O well , Born is the King of Israel . 1 . The first Noel , the angels say To Bethlehem 's shepherds as they lay . At midnight watch , when keeping sheep , The winter wild , the light snow deep . Refrain Noel , Noel , Noel , Noel Born is the King of Israel . 2 . 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 : 2 . And then there did appear a Star , Whose glory then did shine so far : Unto the earth it gave a great light , And there it continued a day and a night . 2 . The shepherds rose , and saw a star Bright in the East , beyond them far , Its beauty gave them great delight , This star it set now day nor night . 3 . And by the light of that same star , Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek for a King was their intent , And to follow the star whersoever it went : 3 . And by the light of that same Star , Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek a King was their intent - They follow 'd the Star wherever it went . 3 . Now by the light of this bright star Three wise men came from country far ; They sought a king , such their intent , The star their guide where'er it went . 4 . This star drew nigh to the north - west ; O'er Bethlehem it took its rest ; And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay : 4 . The Star went before them unto the North West , And seemed o'er the City of Bethlehem to rest , And there did remain by night and by day , Right over the place where Jesus Christ lay . 4 . Then drawing nigh to the northwest , O'er Bethlehem town it took its rest ; The wise men learnt its cause of stay , And found the place where Jesus lay . 5 . Then entered in those Wise Men three , Full reverently upon their knee , And offered there in his presence , Their gold and myrrh and frankincense : 5 . Then enter 'd in these Wise Men three , With reverence fall on their knee , And offer 'd up in His presence The gifts of gold and frankincense . 6 . Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of nought , And with his blood mankind hath bought : 6 . ' Tween an ox manger and an ass , Our Blest Messiah 's place it was ; To save us all from bond and thrall , He was a Redeemer for us all ! New English Hymnal . Cornish Songbook . Carols Old and Carols New . 1 . The first Nowell the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay ; In fields where they lay , keeping their sheep , On a cold winter 's night that was so deep : Refrain Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Born is the King of Israel . 1 . O well , O well , the Angels did say To shepherds there in the fields did lay ; Late in the night a-folding their sheep , A winter 's night , both cold and bleak . Refrain O well , O well , O well , O well , Born is the King of Israel . 1 . The first Noel , the angels say To Bethlehem 's shepherds as they lay . At midnight watch , when keeping sheep , The winter wild , the light snow deep . Refrain Noel , Noel , Noel , Noel Born is the King of Israel . Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay ; In fields where they lay , keeping their sheep , On a cold winter 's night that was so deep : Refrain Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Nowell , Born is the King of Israel . To shepherds there in the fields did lay ; Late in the night a-folding their sheep , A winter 's night , both cold and bleak . Refrain O well , O well , O well , O well , Born is the King of Israel . To Bethlehem 's shepherds as they lay . At midnight watch , when keeping sheep , The winter wild , the light snow deep . Refrain Noel , Noel , Noel , Noel Born is the King of Israel . 2 . 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 : 2 . And then there did appear a Star , Whose glory then did shine so far : Unto the earth it gave a great light , And there it continued a day and a night . 2 . The shepherds rose , and saw a star Bright in the East , beyond them far , Its beauty gave them great delight , This star it set now day nor night . Shining in the east , beyond them far : And to the earth it gave great light , And so it continued both day and night : Whose glory then did shine so far : Unto the earth it gave a great light , And there it continued a day and a night . Bright in the East , beyond them far , Its beauty gave them great delight , This star it set now day nor night . 3 . And by the light of that same star , Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek for a King was their intent , And to follow the star whersoever it went : 3 . And by the light of that same Star , Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek a King was their intent - They follow 'd the Star wherever it went . 3 . Now by the light of this bright star Three wise men came from country far ; They sought a king , such their intent , The star their guide where'er it went . Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek for a King was their intent , And to follow the star whersoever it went : Three Wise Men came from country far ; To seek a King was their intent - They follow 'd the Star wherever it went . Three wise men came from country far ; They sought a king , such their intent , The star their guide where'er it went . 4 . This star drew nigh to the north - west ; O'er Bethlehem it took its rest ; And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay : 4 . The Star went before them unto the North West , And seemed o'er the City of Bethlehem to rest , And there did remain by night and by day , Right over the place where Jesus Christ lay . 4 . Then drawing nigh to the northwest , O'er Bethlehem town it took its rest ; The wise men learnt its cause of stay , And found the place where Jesus lay . O'er Bethlehem it took its rest ; And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay : And seemed o'er the City of Bethlehem to rest , And there did remain by night and by day , Right over the place where Jesus Christ lay . O'er Bethlehem town it took its rest ; The wise men learnt its cause of stay , And found the place where Jesus lay . 5 . Then entered in those Wise Men three , Full reverently upon their knee , And offered there in his presence , Their gold and myrrh and frankincense : 5 . Then enter 'd in these Wise Men three , With reverence fall on their knee , And offer 'd up in His presence The gifts of gold and frankincense . Full reverently upon their knee , And offered there in his presence , Their gold and myrrh and frankincense : With reverence fall on their knee , And offer 'd up in His presence The gifts of gold and frankincense . 6 . Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of nought , And with his blood mankind hath bought : 6 . ' Tween an ox manger and an ass , Our Blest Messiah 's place it was ; To save us all from bond and thrall , He was a Redeemer for us all ! Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of nought , And with his blood mankind hath bought : Our Blest Messiah 's place it was ; To save us all from bond and thrall , He was a Redeemer for us all !