The First Nowell
Choir and Orchestra Lyrics
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Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
I-in fie-ields wher-ere they lay-ay keeping their sheep
In a cold winter's ni-ight that wa-as so deep
No-o-e-el, No-o-el, No-o-el, No-o-e-el
Born is the Ki-ing of I-is-ra-el
They-ey loo-ook-ed up a-and saw-aw a star
A-and to-oo the-ee earth i-it ga-ave great light
A-and so it continued both day-ay and night
No-o-e-el, No-o-el, No-o-el, No-e-el
Born is the Ki-ing of I-is-ra-el
A-and by-why the-e light o-of tha-at same star
Three-ee wi-ise men ca-ame from cou-ountry far
To-oo see-eek for a King wa-as their-eir intent
And to follow the sta-are wherever it went
No-o-e-el, No-o-el, No-o-el, No-o-e-el
Born is the Ki-ing of I-is-ra-el
This star-are drew-ew nigh to the-e northwest
O'er Be-eth-le-he-em it too-ook its rest
A-and there-ere it did bo-oth sto-op and stay
Ri-ight o-over the pla-ace where Je-esus lay
No-o-e-el, No-o-el, No-o-el, No-o-e-el
Born is the K-ing of I-is-ra-el
The-en e-entered in tho-ose wi-ise men three
Fe-ell re-everently upo-on their knee
A-and o-offered there i-in hi-is presence
Bo-oth go-old, and myr-rh, and fra-ankincense
No-o-e-el, No-o-el, No-o-el, No-e-el
Born is the Ki-ing of I-is-ra-el
The-en le-et you-us all wi-ith one-ne accord
Si-ing prai-aises to-oo our heavenly Lord
Tha-at ha-ath made heaven and ear-earth of nought
A-and wi-ith his bloo-ood manki-ind had bought
No-o-e-el, no-o-el, no-o-el, no-o-e-el
Born is the ki-ing of I-is-ra-el
"The First Nowell" is a traditional English carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ as per the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. In the song, the angels announce the birth of the King of Israel to the shepherds in the fields, who then witness a bright star in the East. The wise men follow the star to Bethlehem and present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The first verse describes the angels announcing the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds who were watching over their sheep in the fields. The second verse describes the appearance of the bright star in the East, which the wise men follow to reach Bethlehem. The third verse describes the gifts presented by the wise men to the baby Jesus. The final verse is a call to sing praises to the Lord.
The song captures the essence of the Nativity story and is often performed during Christmas celebrations. It also emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ as the King of Israel, who came to save humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Nowell, the angel did say
The angel proclaimed the first Christmas carol
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The song was sung to poor shepherds who were in the fields
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were watching over their sheep in the fields
In a cold winter's night that was so deep
It was a very cold and dark winter's night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Christmas has come, Christmas has come
Born is the King of Israel
Jesus Christ, the King of Israel has been born
They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds looked up and saw a star in the sky
Shining in the East beyond them far
The star was shining in the East, far beyond their location
And to the earth it gave great light
The star illuminated the earth with great light
And so it continued both day and night
The star shone continuously day and night
And by the light of that same star
The wise men followed the same star
Three wise men came from country far
Three wise men traveled from a far country
To seek for a King was their intent
The wise men sought to find the King of Israel
And to follow the star wherever it went
The wise men followed the star wherever it led them
Then entered in those wise men three
The three wise men entered the place where Jesus was
Fell reverently upon their knee
They knelt down in reverence before Jesus
And offered there in his presence
They presented gifts in front of Jesus
Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense
They offered gold, myrrh, and frankincense as gifts
Let us all with one accord
Let us all, in agreement, sing praises
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
Let us sing praises to our Lord in heaven
That hath made heaven and earth of nought
God created the heaven and earth from nothing
And with his blood mankind hath bought
Jesus Christ shed his blood to save humanity
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Christmas has come, Christmas has come
Born is the King of Israel
Jesus Christ, the King of Israel has been born
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRADITIONAL, SIMON LOLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@phav1832
They totally capture the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
@kenton6804
Oh my goodness, probably the most epic (in the true meaning of the word) arrangement of one of my all time favorite hymns. Thank you for sharing this! So well done, there is nothing like the BYU Choirs at Christmas.
@emmastanford6696
This is one of my favourite pieces of all time. I love the BYU Choirs!
@BK-hl7qi
Serenely beautiful.
@jonylawson73
This is astonishing
@joancairns9441
9k