José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto… Read Full Bio ↴José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico) is a singer and guitarist, who has been successful in both Spanish and English music. A victim of congenital glaucoma, he was left permanently blind at birth. He is most known for his Christmas song "Feliz Navidad", as well as his covers of "California Dreamin'" and "Light My Fire".

First Noel
José Feliciano Lyrics

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The first Noel the angels did sing
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields 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

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

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel

Overall Meaning

In José Feliciano's interpretation of the classic Christmas carol, "The First Noel," the lyrics describe the biblical scene of the birth of Jesus Christ. The song begins by setting the scene as the angels sing the first "Noel," or Christmas carol, to a group of shepherds who are tending their sheep in a field on a cold winter's night. The shepherds are described as "certain poor" individuals, emphasizing that the message of Jesus' birth was intended for all people, regardless of social standing or wealth.

The following lines express the significance of Jesus' birth, as it brought "great light" to the Earth which continued both day and night. The repetition of the word "Noel" throughout the song serves as a joyful proclamation of the birth of the king of Israel, which is the reason for the angels' singing and the shepherds' rejoicing. Overall, the song presents a message of hope and joy, celebrating the birth of Christ and the beginning of a new era of peace and love.

Line by Line Meaning

The first Noel the angels did sing
The first Christmas carol sang by celestial beings

Was to certain poor shepherds
The carol was sung to simple shepherds

In fields as they lay
As the shepherds were resting in open fields

In fields fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were watching over their flock in the fields

On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The event took place on a frigid winter night

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
A repeated phrase expressing the joyful news

Born is the king of Israel
A new king has been born in Israel

And to the Earth it gave great light
The event illuminated the world with great radiance

And so it continued both day and night
The light remained constant and did not fade

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
A repeated phrase expressing the joyful news

Born is the king of Israel
A new king has been born in Israel

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
A repeated phrase expressing the joyful news

Born is the king of Israel
A new king has been born in Israel

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRADITIONAL, LEE EVANS, PD TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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