The First Noel

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"The First Nowell" in Carols, New and Old (1879)[1]

"The First Noel" (also written "The First Noël" and "The First Nowell") is a traditional classical English carol, most likely from the 18th century, although possibly earlier.[2][3] The word Noel comes from the French word Noël meaning Christmas, from the Latin word natalis which translates as birthday".[4]


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 "The First O Well"; a conjectural reconstruction of this earlier version can be found in the New Oxford Book of Carols.[5]

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),[1][6] Ralph Dunstan's gallery version in the Cornish Songbook (1929)[7] and Reverend Charles Lewis Hutchins's American version in Carols Old and Carols New (1916).[8]

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New English Hymnal.[6] Cornish Songbook.[7] American version.[8]
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:
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.
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.
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,

Fell 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!



  1. ^ a b Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer, The First Nowell in Carols New and Old (London: Novello, Ewer & Co., ca 1878).
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b The First Nowell, Hymns and Carols of Christmas.
  4. ^ "Noel". Eytmonline: Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 29 December 2011. 
  5. ^ Keytes and Parrott, New Oxford Book of Carols (Oxford University Press, 1992) ISBN 0-19-353323-5.
  6. ^ a b New English Hymnal, (Canterbury Press, 1986), No. 36.
  7. ^ a b Ralph Dunstan, The Cornish Song Book (London: Reid Bros., Ltd., 1929), pp. 126.
  8. ^ a b Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), No. 643.
  9. ^ Filipič, Maya. "First Noel". Jamendo. 
  10. ^ Retrieved 3 January 2014

External links[edit]

  • Free arrangements for piano and voice from