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The First Noel

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

The First Nowell (also written The First Noël) 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 "birthday".

In its current form it is of Cornish origin, and it was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833), both of which were edited by William B. Sandys and arranged, edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert Hymns and Carols of God. Today, it is usually performed in a four-part hymn arrangement by the English composer John Stainer, first published in his Carols, New and Old of 1871.[3]

The melody is unusual among English folk melodies in that it consists of one musical phrase repeated twice, followed by a variation on that phrase. All three phrases end on the third of the scale. The refrain, also unusually, merely repeats the melody of the verse. It is thought to be a corruption 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.[4]

Textual comparison

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

New English Hymnal.[5] Cornish Songbook.[6] American version.[7]
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.

 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.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel.

2. They lookèd 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!

References

Wikisource has original text related to this article:
  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. ^ Keytes and Parrott, New Oxford Book of Carols (Oxford University Press, 1992) ISBN 0193533235.
  5. ^ a b New English Hymnal, (Canterbury Press, 1986), No. 36
  6. ^ a b Ralph Dunstan, The Cornish Song Book (London: Reid Bros., Ltd., 1929), pp. 126
  7. ^ a b Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), No. 643
  • Free arrangements for piano and voice from Cantorion.org
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