The First Noel
Johnny Mathis/Percy Faith & His Orchestra Lyrics


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The first Noel, the angel did say,
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
They looked up and saw a star
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 it's 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

Overall Meaning

The First Noel is a classic Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The song begins by setting the scene of a cold winter's night in fields where poor shepherds were keeping their sheep. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them and announced the birth of the King of Israel. The word "Noel" is repeated throughout the song, which is a French word meaning "Christmas."


As the shepherds looked up, they saw a bright star shining in the East, leading them to where Jesus was born. The star continued to shine both day and night, guiding the way for those who sought the child. Finally, the star stopped over the stable in which Jesus was born, and the shepherds and wise men came to worship him.


This song tells the story of a miraculous event, in which an ordinary stable became the birthplace of a king. For Christians, it is a reminder of the humble beginnings of Jesus and the joyous celebration of his birth.


Line by Line Meaning

The first Noel, the angel did say
According to the angel's proclamation, the initial Noel was announced


Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The shepherds laying in the fields were the particular ones to whom the Noel was proclaimed


In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds receiving the Noel were tending to their sheep in the fields


On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The deep, cold winter's night was the specific night when the shepherds received the Noel


Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Noel, the word that means Christmas, was repeated as part of the song's chorus


Born is the King of Israel
The King of Israel was born, as the song proclaimed


They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds gazed upwards and sighted a star


Shining in the the East, beyond them far
The star sparkled in the distance, far beyond the shepherds in the East


And to the earth it gave great light
The star radiated an immense light shining down to the earth


And so it continued both day and night
The star's light persisted through both day and night


This star drew night to the northwest
The star moved in a direction heading northwest


O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest
The star arrived and settled over Bethlehem


And there it did both stop and stay
The star came to a halt and remained in place


Right over the place where Jesus lay
The star appeared directly above the location of Jesus' whereabout




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AVRIEL KAPLAN, BEN BRAM, KEVIN OLUSOLA, SCOTT HOYING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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