Day 11 - The First Noel
The First Noel (or Nowell, or Noël) is one of the most well known and popular of English language carols, with very likely Cornish origins. A tracing of its initial publishing history is given by William Henry Husk in his 1868 carol collection Songs of the Nativity: "This is a well-known, although it cannot be styled popular, carol, since although it is included in every collection of carols, it is not found in any broadside that has fallen under [our] notice. It probably first appeared in Davies Gilbert's collection of Carols sung in the West of England (1823). Then next in Mr. Sandys' 1833 collection, where it is also given as a West-country carol, "for Christmas day in the morning." Mr. Sandys observes, in reference to the number of shepherds, that "according to some legends the number was four — called Misael, Achael, Cyriacus, and Stephanus, and these, with the names of the three kings, were used as a charm to cure the biting of serpents and other venomous reptiles and beasts." Noel!
Was to three poor Shepherds in fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
In a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Chorus
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. Chorus
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. Chorus
4. This Star drew nigh to the North West;
O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest.
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay. Chorus
5. Then did they know assuredly
Within that house, the King did lie
One entered in then for to see
And found the babe in poverty. Chorus
6. Then enter'd in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offer'd there, in his presence,
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Chorus
7. Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there born he was;
For want of clothing they did him lay
All in a manger, among the hay. Chorus
8. 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. Chorus
9. If we in our time shall do well
We shall be free from death and Hell
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general. Chorus
Over the years The First Noel's popularity has grown tremendously, so much so that you can hear, over the course of the holiday season, versions of the carol for chorus, children's chorus, organ, recorder/flute choir, wind ensemble, orchestra, chorus and orchestra, etc., as well as pop, rock, country, jazz, hip-hop and even heavy metal versions. You can spend hours on YouTube or your favorite streaming service finding YOUR favorite! Here are some that hit home for me . . .
The First Noel - Marginalchor (straightforward, with most of the verses)
The First Noel - Classical Guitar Corner (as simple as it gets . . .)
The First Noel - Pentatonix (contemporary a cappella at its best)
further listening . . .
The Cathedral Singers big choir & organ sound
550 Brigham Young University a HUGE ensemble & arrangement
University of Utah Singers (arr. by Dan Forrest) light & modern arrangement w/piano
Lifein3D trio of voices w/guitar
Shane & Shane country style, upbeat . . . yet respectful
Nat King Cole (1960) a nice bit of nostalgia
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