As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, "Isn't Always Love" by Lynn Anderson. Also Linda Ronstadt has successfully recorded a number of her songs, including, "Someone To Lay Down Beside Me," "Trouble Again," "All My Life," "Falling Star" and "Goodbye My Friend," thus helping to introduce Bonoff to a larger audience.
In her early career, Bonoff sang background vocals for Linda Ronstadt and Wendy Waldman before releasing her debut album in 1977, titled Karla Bonoff (1977). Her other albums include Restless Nights (1979), Wild Heart of the Young (1982), New World (1988), and All My Life (a greatest hits collection) in 1999. Bonoff is best known as a songwriter, but she is also noted for her hit recording of "Personally", which reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1982. She also recorded "Standing Right Next To Me" on the "8 Seconds" movie soundtrack (1994) and "Somebody's Eyes" on the "Footloose" soundtrack (1984).
Karla's first live album was released in September 2007. This double CD includes many of her hits performed live in concert on October 24, 2004 (except for one song recorded July 30, 2005). She is backed by her touring band including Kenny Edwards (guitar, bass, mandolin, cello, vocals) and Nina Gerber (guitar) plus long time associate Scott Babcock (drums and vocals).
She is also a member of the currently inactive group Bryndle, which includes Wendy Waldman and Kenny Edwards. The band has also included Andrew Gold who left the band in 1996. The group had released three albums between 1995 and 2002.
Her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, she herself hit 19 on the top 100 singing "Personally" written by P. Kelly. A writer from the heart, collaborated with Pete Seger and Frank Hamilton on "The Water is Wide." Although she released just four studio albums in her first 30 years as a recording artist, in 2007 she issued a well-received live album.
The First Noel
Karla Bonoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was to certain poor shepards 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
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.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from the 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.
This star drew nigh to the north-west;
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.
Then entered in those wise men three,
Fell reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the kind of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind has bought.
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 from the perspective of the shepherds and wise men who witnessed it. The lyrics begin with the announcement of the birth of Jesus by an angel to a group of shepherds who were tending their flocks at night. The shepherds are then directed to go see the newborn King in Bethlehem. They follow a star in the east that leads them to the stable where Jesus is lying in a manger.
The second verse continues the story, as the wise men, also known as the Three Kings or Magi, see the same star and begin their journey to find the King of Israel. The star guides them to Bethlehem where they offer gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn baby.
The final verse is a call to all believers to praise and worship Jesus, the King of Israel, who has brought salvation to humanity through his sacrifice on the cross. It is a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of recognizing and celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel the angel did say
The angel spoke of the first Noel
Was to certain poor shepards in fields as they lay:
He spoke to the poor shepherds in the fields while they were sleeping
In fields where they lay a keeping their sheep
They were tending their flock at the time
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
It was a bitterly cold winter night
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Noel repeated as a chorus
Born is the King of Israel.
The King of Israel has been born
They looked up and saw a star
They saw a star in the sky
Shining in the east beyond them far:
It was shining in the far east
And to the earth it gave great light
It was a brightly shining star
And so it continued both day and night.
It continued to shine both day and night
And by the light of that same star
The wise men followed the light of the same star
Three wise men came from the country far;
Three wise men came from faraway lands
To seek for a King was their intent,
Their goal was to find a King
And to follow the star wherever it went.
They followed the star wherever it led them
This star drew nigh to the north-west;
The star led them to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest,
It stopped over Bethlehem
And there it did both stop and stay,
The star stayed there
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Directly over where Jesus was born
Then entered in those wise men three,
The three wise men entered
Fell reverently upon their knee,
They fell on their knees respectfully
And offered there in his presence
They gave gifts to Jesus
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Gold, myrrh and frankincense.
Then let us all with one accord
Let us all together
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
Sing praises to our Lord in heaven
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
He created heaven and earth out of nothing
And with his blood mankind has bought.
And he has bought humanity with his blood
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Noel repeated as a chorus
Born is the King of Israel.
The King of Israel has been born
Writer(s): Carmen Dragon
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.