Dick Haymes (September 13, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powerful, milky smooth, rich baritone.
Dick Haymes (September 13, 1918 – March 28, 1980) was one of the most popular American male vocalists of the 1940s and early 1950s.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His Irish-born mother, Marguerite Haymes (1894-1987), was a well-known vocal coach and instructor. He became the vocalist in a number of big bands, worked in Hollywood on radio and in many films throughout the forties and fifties.
He never became a United States citizen and avoided military service during World War II by asserting his non-belligerent status as a citizen of Argentina, which was neutral. Years later (1955), this act of his nearly caused his deportation to Argentina on an unrelated technicality in immigration law. During World War II, he was briefly detained at Ellis Island.
Haymes was married six times and had six children. His most famous marriages were to film actresses Joanne Dru (1941-1949) and Rita Hayworth (1953-1955). His daughter Stephanie Haymes was married to Sir Elton John's lyricist Bernie Taupin
He died in Los Angeles from lung cancer, at the age of 61.
The First Noel
Dick Haymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Born is the King of Israel
The First Noel is a classic Christmas Carol that retells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The opening lines describe how an angel appeared to poor shepherds in the fields as they were tending their sheep on a cold winter's night. The angel announced the good news of Jesus' birth and the shepherds were amazed to hear this news. The word "Noel" in the refrain signifies the joyous celebration and means "born is the King of Israel."
The second verse describes how the shepherds looked up and saw a bright star that illuminated the sky. This was the star that the three wise men would later follow to find Jesus in Bethlehem. The refrain once again emphasizes the joy of Jesus' birth and the fulfillment of the prophecy that the King of Israel had arrived.
The final verse talks about the wise men who traveled from afar to find the "King" whose birth was announced by the star they saw. They followed the star and it led them to Jesus in Bethlehem. The song ends with the refrain acknowledging once again the birth of Christ as the King of Israel. This carol continues to be a beloved Christmas song that has helped to create an atmosphere of peace, joy, and goodwill that characterize the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel the angel did say
The angel was the first to proclaim the news of Jesus' birth
Was to certain poor shepherds
The angel's announcement was made to a group of poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
The shepherds were resting in a field at the time
In fields where they Lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were taking care of their sheep in the fields
On a cold winter's night
It was a chilly winter evening
That was so deep.
The darkness and stillness of the night made it feel like a deep sleep
Noel, Noel
A joyful exclamation celebrating Jesus' birth
Born is the King of Israel
Jesus, who is now born, is the King of Israel
They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds saw a star shining in the sky
Shining in the east, beyond them far
The star was visible in the eastern direction, far away from them
And to the earth it gave great light
The star was shining so brightly, it lit up the whole earth in its glow
And so it continued both day and night
The star shone continuously both in the day and at night, without fading away
And by the light of that same star
The wise men followed the star to find Jesus
Three wise men came
Three wise men from a distant country came to see Jesus
From the country far
The wise men travelled a long distance to reach Jesus
To seek for a King was their intent
The wise men were searching for the newborn King
And to follow the star
They followed the star to lead them to Jesus
Wherever it went.
They continued to follow the star wherever it led them
Born is the King of Israel
A final joyful exclamation again highlighting Jesus' birth and his kingly status
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DP, AARON JOSEPH NEVILLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lena Lundberg
This is so damned good so I burst into tears.
BlueDotMusic
Love this version by Dick Haymes, such a beautiful rich voice. Thanks Merry Christmas. Blue
J K
He had a great baritone voice!
Trombonology Erstwhile
Lovely! Dick couldn't swing like Frank and wasn't as versatile, but his rich baritone was equally beautiful.