The First Noel

Little is known about the classic, and much loved, Christmas carol The First Noel. It is an English Folk song that tells the story of Christ’s birth. The verses sing of the adventure of the three Wise men who followed a shining star to witness the savior’s birth at Bethlehem. The chorus of The First Noel chants the word “Noel” to stress its importance. The word “Noel” is French for Christmas. The French wish someone a Merry Christmas by saying “Joyeux Noel”. However, the Christmas carol was originally written as “The First Nowell”, using the Anglo-Saxon spelling of the word. It was later changed because of French influence in England after the Norman invasion.

The First Noel made its first appearance in print in 1833. It was part of a carol book titled Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, by William Sandys. Born in 1792, Sandys attended school at Westminster and would become a lawyer. As a hobby, really, Sandys wrote a number of books as well as carol books. Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern contains 80 carols, including a number of them that are still sung and loved today. The First Noel shares the pages with such songs as, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, I Saw Three Ships, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The First Noel has become a Christmas classic even hundreds of years after it was written and first put in print. Everyone seems to know the simple chorus, the repeating of the word “Noel” that ends with, “born is the King of Israel”. That first Christmas is remembered every year with this song, recalling the night the three Wise men met Christ and the holiday called “Christmas” began.

The First Noel

The First Noel, 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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

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 wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
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 Pause and stay
Right o’er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

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 has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!