The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Noe! Noe!
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New light yonder breaking,
Brighter than the noonday sun,
All your sheep awaking.
Wonder, whisper, "Ah Noe!"
Christ is born this holy day!
He is come to you,
Lowly shepherds, true!
Morning Star and New Day!
Wonder, whisper, "Ah Noel"
Shepherds, turn your eyes and see
In the manger, sleeping,
Prince of Peace and Heavenly King,
In His mother's keeping.
Worship Him who brings Noe
He who turns the night to day!
He is come to you,
Lowly shepherds, true!
He is come unto you;
Morning Star and New Day!
Worship Him who brings Noe!
Shepherds, look about and see
In the darkness pining
All God's children long to hear
Of the new Light shining.
Witness of the true Noe!
Share glad tidings of this day!
His come to you,
Lowly shepherds, true!
He is come unto you;
Morning Star and New Day!
Witness of the true Noe!
Shepherds, run to us and see
Here we are awaiting thee.
Let your voices ring for ‘aye
Christ is born! Noe!
The lyrics of Noe! Noe! sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are an invitation to the shepherds to rise and witness the birth of Jesus Christ. The first stanza calls the shepherds to look up and see the new light breaking, brighter than the noonday sun, awakening all their sheep. The shepherds are asked to wonder with a whisper of "Ah Noe!" as Christ is born on this holy day. The lowly shepherds are called to witness the Morning Star and New Day who has come unto them.
The second stanza is a call to action for the shepherds to turn their eyes and see the Prince of Peace and Heavenly King, who is sleeping in the manger under His mother's keeping. The shepherds are asked to worship Him who brings Noe, the one who turns the night into day. The third stanza asks the shepherds to look about and see all God's children pining in the darkness, longing to hear about the new light shining. The shepherds are called to share glad tidings of this day, witnessing the true Noe. The final stanza is an invitation for the shepherds to run to the people who are awaiting them, ringing their voices for Christ who is born, Noe!
Overall, the lyrics of Noe! Noe! sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are a powerful and moving invitation to join in the celebration of Christ's birth. The song captures the wonder and awe of this momentous occasion, inspiring listeners to witness the birth of the Prince of Peace and Heavenly King and spread the message of hope and joy to all who long for the light of Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Shepherds, rise look up and see
Shepherds, wake up and look towards the sky
New light yonder breaking,
A new bright light is breaking through the darkness
Brighter than the noonday sun,
The light is brighter than the midday sun
All your sheep awaking.
Your sheep are waking up
Wonder, whisper, "Ah Noe!"
Be amazed and whisper "Ah Noe!"
Christ is born this holy day!
Christ is born today and it is a holy day!
He is come to you,
He has come to you
Lowly shepherds, true!
Humble shepherds, it is true!
He is come unto you;
He has come to you
Morning Star and New Day!
He is the morning star and a new day has begun
Shepherds, turn your eyes and see
Shepherds, look and see
In the manger, sleeping,
He is sleeping in the manger
Prince of Peace and Heavenly King,
He is the Prince of Peace and the Heavenly King
In His mother's keeping.
He is being kept by his mother
Worship Him who brings Noe
Worship Him who brings this good news
He who turns the night to day!
He can turn the darkness into light!
Shepherds, look about and see
Look around and see
In the darkness pining
People in the darkness are longing
All God's children long to hear
All of God's children want to hear about
Of the new Light shining.
The new light that is shining
Witness of the true Noe!
Spread the news of this true good news!
Share glad tidings of this day!
Spread the news of this joyful day!
His come to you,
He has come to you
Lowly shepherds, true!
Humble shepherds, it is true!
He is come unto you;
He has come to you
Morning Star and New Day!
He is the morning star and a new day has begun
Shepherds, run to us and see
Shepherds, come to us and see
Here we are awaiting thee.
We are waiting for you here.
Let your voices ring for ‘aye
Let your voices ring out joyfully
Christ is born! Noe!
Christ is born! This is good news!
Contributed by Connor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chijiokeceejaay541
Wow... I have never felt very relax and spirit filled.... Brilliant
@bobareebop
What a delight! A brilliant (as always) Mack Wilberg arrangement. So joyful and uplifting.
@marybethbialek8132
The most beautiful Christmas song of all-makes one want to dance-this choir does it perfect!!
@MaryDeliaLynch
Magnifique!!!
@manuelgrande2505
wowwwwwww All the hymns are very beautiful and have a message from the Bible. But Like This Spectacular Song My Jaw Was Absorbed
@wtfrage27
Just found this and loving it
@ssendawulajoseph793
wonderful great work was done thanks but how can we access the sheet music
@claudiaberrios7622
Muy bonito coro
@jaycekelsey
It’s called Noe because there’s No L.
@noegiussani3749
stanno cantando per me