The First Noel
GodTube Staff
1 The first Noel the angel 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:
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. [Refrain]
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 wherever it went. [Refrain]
4 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. [Refrain]
5 Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
their gold and myrrh and frankincense. [Refrain]
The United Methodist Hymnal, 1989
The Story Behind The First Noel
“The First Noel” is a beautiful and timeless Christmas carol with roots in Cornwall, a region in southwest England. Its gentle melody and storytelling style have made it a beloved part of Christmas celebrations across the English-speaking world.
Deepen your celebration of Christmas with your FREE copy of our Christmas Hymns & Carols Guide. Enjoy lyrics, videos, and the spiritual significance of timeless carols. Download yours HERE.
Who Wrote "The First Noel?"
The carol likely began as a traditional Cornish folk song, passed down through local communities before it was ever written down. Its first known printed versions appeared in the early 1800s in two important collections:
-
Carols Ancient and Modern (1823)
-
Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833)
Both collections were published by William Sandys, who worked to preserve older English carols. Much of the arrangement and some added lyrics came from Davies Gilbert, helping shape the version we recognize today.
How the Modern Version Developed
The popular hymn and Christmas carol became even more widely known when English composer John Stainer included a four-part choral arrangement of it in his Carols, New and Old collection in 1871. Stainer’s harmonies gave the piece a rich, full sound that helped it become a standard in church hymnals.
Later, composer Victor Hely-Hutchinson wove themes from “The First Noel” into his beloved Carol Symphony, showing how deeply the melody had become embedded in Christmas music tradition.
Collection of Popular Christmas Hymns and Carols:
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
The First Noel
Joy To The World
O Holy Night
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
Go Tell It On The Mountain
What Child Is This
O Little Town of Bethlehem
We Three Kings of Orient Are
Ave Maria
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