Christmas Carols – The first Nowell

  I’m feeling more “Christmasty” with each new day. Today’s carol is the evergreen “The first nowell”. I’ve always imagined that the song was directly inspired by Sheep and Shepherds, it’s so peaceful and calm. No one knows who actually wrote the song but it was most likely written in the 18th century.

We’re all used to the French and American spelling noel but I’m going with the English spelling nowell because I’m an Anglican. There are many versions of the song but I’ll be going with that in the New English Hymnal

Photo Credit

     THE FIRST NOWELL
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.

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 whersoever it
went:
Refrain

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:
Refrain

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:
Refrain

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:
Refrain
Lyrics Source

So many artists and choirs have done this song but my favourite version will always be Boney M’s, I love their carols, perhaps because we listened to them every December while we were growing up.

We’ll continue our carols and Christmas countdown tomorrow, Sayonara.