The First Noel
Frank Sinatra Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics

The first Noel the angels did say
The herald angels spoke the first 'Noel'

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
Those 'Noels' were directed towards a group of humble shepherds resting in a field

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
Specifically, these shepherds were tending to their sheep at the time

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
It was a very cold and dark winter night

Noel, Noel
Repeating the word 'Noel' to emphasize its importance and meaning

Noel,Noel
Further emphasizing the significance of the 'Noels'

Born is the King of Israel.
The ultimate message of the 'Noels' is that the King of Israel has been born

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

Shining in the East, beyond them far,
The star was radiating in the far eastern part of the sky

And to the earth it gave great light,
This star was extremely bright and noticeable from earth

And so it continued, both day and night.
The star was visible day and night and did not fade away

And by the light of that same star
The star's light became a guiding force

Three wise men came from country far,
Three wise men, traveling from far away lands, followed this star

To seek for a King was their intent,
Their mission was to find and meet the new King of Israel

And to follow the star wherever it went.
The wise men were determined to follow the star wherever it led them

This star drew nigh to the northwest;
The star eventually guided them towards the northwest direction

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest.
The star finally rested over Bethlehem

And there it did both stop and stay,
The star remained fixed and steady over Bethlehem

Right over the place where Jesus lay.
The precise location where the star had stopped was where Jesus was lying

Then they did know assuredly
The wise men were then certain of what they had found

Within that house, the King did lie
They confirmed that the King was indeed inside that house

One entered in then for to see
One of the wise men went inside the house to confirm what they had found

And found the babe in poverty.
Inside, they found the baby Jesus in very humble circumstances

Then entered in those wise men three,
All three wise men entered the house

Full reverently, upon bended knee,
They knelt down in deep respect and honor

And offered there, in His presence,
In the presence of Jesus, they offered Him gifts

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
These gifts consisted of valuable and aromatic items

If we in our time do well
The song ends with a message for the listeners in the present, reminding them to do good

We shall be free from death and hell
Doing good in our lives can relieve us from some of our fears and insecurities

For God hath prepared for us all
This is due to the belief that God has made preparations for all of us

A resting place in general.
Therefore, if we live our lives righteously, we will all be granted a peaceful and safe place to rest in the afterlife.