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 the 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 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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then entered in those wise men three,
Fell reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the kind of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Here is an old English carol whose origin probably will remain forever in doubt.
Its words and music first appeared in a collection of “Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern” published by William Sandys in London in 1833.
Several other Christmas favorites, including the song “I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In” and “God Rest You, Merry Gentleman,” were in the same collection.
“The First Noel” is regarded as a true folk song. Its strength and charm lie in its simple message.
There is evidence that the music, a traditional melody, came from the west of England.
The song tells the Christmas story as it is found in the Scriptures, of the Bethlehem shepherds who first discovered the magic star in the eastern sky on Christmas Eve and of the Three Wise Men who followed the star as it led them to the manger birthplace of Jesus where they worshiped the newborn Savior and offered their gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense.
Authored by Horace B. Powell
