Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
The First Noel
Emmylou Harris 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, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Shining in the 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.
This star drew night to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took its 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.
"The First Noel" is a traditional Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The song begins with the announcement of the angel to the shepherds about the birth of Jesus Christ. The shepherds are described as "certain poor shepherds" who are watching their sheep on a cold winter night. The angel appears to them and announces the good news of the birth of the Savior.
The chorus of the song, "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel," is a joyful exclamation of the birth of the Messiah. The word "Noel" originates from the French word "Noël" which means "Christmas."
The second verse of the song speaks of the star that appeared in the East, guiding the wise men to the place where Jesus was born. The star is described as a bright light that shone both day and night, serving as a witness to the miraculous event taking place.
The third verse tells of the star settling over Bethlehem, where Jesus lay, signifying his humble birthplace. The shepherds and wise men come to pay homage to the newborn King of Israel.
Overall, "The First Noel" is a beautiful and meaningful song that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel, the angel did say,
The angel announced the first Christmas to certain poor shepherds lying in fields.
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
The angel announced the birth of Jesus to some poor shepherds who were lying in the nearby 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.
It was a cold and dark night in winter.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
The refrain repeated throughout the song, meaning 'Merry Christmas'.
Born is the King of Israel.
The announcement that the King of Israel, Jesus, had been born.
They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds looked up and saw a bright shining star.
Shining in the East, beyond them far,
The star was shining in the East, far beyond the shepherds.
And to the Earth it gave great light,
The star gave out great light, illuminating the Earth below.
And so it continued both day and night.
The star continued to shine both day and night.
This star drew night to the northwest,
The star moved towards the northwest.
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
The star stopped and settled over Bethlehem.
And there it did both stop and stay,
The star remained still and stayed over Bethlehem.
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
The star was directly overhead where Jesus was lying.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DP, ALAN ANTHONY SILVESTRI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr. 1000
There are lots of great versions of this song, but this is my favorite!
Cherie Perks
Agree! Nothing like it!
Anthony DiFabio
To Emmylou Harris if you ever read these comments please note that your singing of the First Noel is my second favorite rendition of the song. The only one that tops this is hearing hearing it at Mass on Chiristmas Eve. Thank you for your efforts with this song.
Teddrie Ng
perfect duet!
hklinker
Actually, there are three voices here.
mayberrydays
@hklinker I wonder who the other 2 are ?
myrjer
Wow ! Just Wow.
Darwin Price
Angelic
kioskocantabria35
Thank you so much