101 Strings was an umbrella term for a highly successful easy listening sym… Read Full Bio ↴101 Strings was an umbrella term for a highly successful easy listening symphonic music organization, with a discography exceeding a hundred albums and a creative lifetime of roughly thirty years. Their LPs were individualized by the slogan "The Sound of Magnificence", a puffy cloud logo and sepia-toned photo of the orchestra. According to the photograph, the 101 Strings orchestra was composed of 124 string instruments (all male except for the harpist) and was conducted by Wilhelm Stephan. The orchestra's famous official photograph was taken in the Musikhalle Hamburg. In reality, of course, the recordings also featured a full brass, woodwind and percussion section, and not quite as many strings as are shown in the photograph. In later years (right up to the 80's), the recordings were made by a session orchestra in London, with a line-up including a modern "pop" rhythm section. In the late 1990's, the 101 Strings Orchestra was revived with "The New 101 Strings Orchestra" for a series of modern recordings.

The First Noel
101 Strings Orchestra Lyrics

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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 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 northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

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 has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Overall Meaning

The First Noel is a classic Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ using imagery of angels, shepherds, a star, and three Wise Men. The song opens with the angels announcing the birth of Christ to a group of poor shepherds, who then see the star in the sky and follow it to Bethlehem. The Wise Men also see the star and follow it to find the newborn king, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The chorus "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the joy and celebration of Jesus' birth. The song ends with a call to all believers to give praise to God for his mercy and grace.

This song has been a beloved Christmas tradition for generations and is often performed in churches and holiday concerts. It has been recorded by many artists in various styles, from traditional orchestral versions to modern pop and rock covers. The song's message of Christ's birth and the call to praise God has resonated with listeners for centuries and remains a central part of the Christmas story.

Line by Line Meaning

The First Noel, the Angels did say
The announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ was made by the angels

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The angels appeared to shepherds while they were lying in the fields

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were in the fields taking care of their sheep

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
The night was cold and deep winter

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!
The chorus means Christmas is coming, and the King of Israel is born

They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds saw a star in the sky

Shining in the East beyond them far
The star was shining brightly in the east far away from where the shepherds were

And to the earth it gave great light
The star gave a great light to the earth

And so it continued both day and night.
The star continued shining both day and night

And by the light of that same star
The wise men followed the same star that the shepherds saw

Three Wise men came from country far
Three wise men came from a faraway country

To seek for a King was their intent
The wise men were looking for a king

And to follow the star wherever it went.
They followed the star wherever it led them

This star drew nigh to the northwest
The star went to the northwest

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
The star stopped over Bethlehem

And there it did both Pause and stay
The star stopped and stayed over Bethlehem

Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
The star was directly above the place where Jesus was born

Then entered in those Wise men three
The wise men entered the place where Jesus was born

Full reverently upon their knee
The wise men kneeled respectfully

And offered there in His presence
The wise men presented their gifts to Jesus

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
The gifts presented were gold, myrrh, and frankincense

Then let us all with one accord
Let us all together

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
Sing praises to our God in heaven

That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
God who made heaven and earth from nothing

And with his blood mankind has bought.
And who paid for mankind's sins with his blood

Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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