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


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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel

The first Noel
The angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields where they
Lay a 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

This 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
Born Noel

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "The First Noel" tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible. The song starts with the repetition of the word "Noel," which is derived from the French word for Christmas. The first verse describes how an angel appeared to a group of shepherds while they were watching their flocks at night. The angel told them about the birth of Jesus, which was announced as a sign of hope and salvation for all people. The shepherds then went to see the baby Jesus and were filled with joy and wonder.


The second verse tells of the star the shepherds saw in the sky, which led them to the newborn baby Jesus. This refers to the Star of Bethlehem, which is said to have guided the wise men to the stable where Jesus was born. The third verse mentions the three wise men, who traveled from far away to seek out the baby Jesus. They, too, were guided by the star and eventually found and worshiped the Christ child.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "Born is the King of Israel," referring to Jesus as a king who came to save his people. The overall message of the song is that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who brought hope and light to a dark world.


Line by Line Meaning

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Singing to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ with joy and fervor.


The first Noel
The beginning of the story of Jesus Christ's birth, according to the Christian tradition.


The angel did say
An angel came to a group of poor shepherds to tell them the good news about Jesus Christ's birth.


Was to certain poor shepherds
The message of Jesus Christ's birth was given to humble shepherds rather than the powerful or wealthy.


In fields as they lay
The shepherds were in a field, likely sleeping, when the angel appeared to them.


In fields where they
The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks of sheep.


Lay a keeping their sheep
The shepherds' primary task was to watch over their sheep, even as they received the good news from the angel.


On a cold winter's night
The weather was chilly, indicating that it was most likely winter.


That was so deep
The night was dark and quiet, as everyone was asleep.


Born is the King of Israel
Jesus Christ, the newborn baby, is the King of Israel.


They looked up
The shepherds raised their eyes to see the star that the angel was referring to.


And saw a star
The shepherds noticed a bright light in the sky, perhaps unlike any other star they had seen before.


Shining in the east
The star was situated in the direction of the east.


Beyond them far
The distance between the shepherds and the star was significant, meaning it would take some effort to reach it.


To the earth
The light of the star reached down to the earth where the shepherds were.


It gave great light
The star provided a brilliant and bright light, illuminating the sky and surroundings.


And so it continued
The light of the star remained constant and bright, shining both day and night.


Both day and night
The light of the star could be seen clearly at all hours of the day, indicating it was a bright and steady light.


This by the light
The three wise men were led by the same star that the shepherds saw.


Of that same star
The wise men were also guided by the bright light of the same star that the shepherds saw.


Three wise men came
Three learned men journeyed from a distant land to seek out the newborn King whose birth was foretold by the star.


From country far
The wise men travelled from a faraway place, indicating that the birth of Jesus Christ was significant to many beyond the region where he was born.


To seek for a King
The wise men were on a quest to find the newborn King of Israel, and were willing to undertake a long and difficult journey in order to do so.


Was their intent
It was the wise men's sole purpose to find the newborn King and honor him.


And to follow the star
The wise men followed the bright star in the sky to reach the place where the newborn King was born.


Born Noel
The phrase 'born noel' reiterates that the King of Israel has been born and the news has been spread.




Lyrics © Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dominio Publico

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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