The First Noel
ST.PAUL CHAMBERS ORCHESTRA Lyrics
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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.
Then 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 its 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 naught,
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
"The First Noel" is a beloved Christmas carol that tells the story of the shepherds and wise men who came to visit Jesus after his birth. The song begins with the angel's announcement to the shepherds in the fields, sharing the news of Jesus' birth. The lyrics reflect on the humble surroundings of Jesus' birth - he was born in a manger in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes. The mention of the star that guided the wise men from the east fuses with the shepherds’ adoration of Jesus. The song continues to narrate the arrival of the wise men to Bethlehem.
The lyrics of "The First Noel" emphasize the miracle of the virgin birth and the divinity of Jesus, inviting listeners to celebrate and praise the King of Israel. The carol invites believer’s to adore and honor Jesus, a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. The title of the carol is derived from the French word "noël," meaning "Christmas.”
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel the angel did say
The angel was the first to say Noel
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:
The angel appeared to some shepherds who were resting in the fields
In fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep
The shepherds were keeping their sheep in the fields
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
It was a cold and dark winter's night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Noel was repeated four times
Born is the King of Israel.
The King of Israel was born
Then they looked up and saw a star,
The shepherds looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far:
The star was shining in the east, far beyond the shepherds
And to the earth it gave great light,
The star gave great light to the earth
And so it continued both day and night.
The star continued to shine both day and night
And by the light of that same star
The three wise men followed the same star's light
Three wise men came from the country far
Three wise men came from a faraway country
To seek for a King was their intent,
Their intent was to find a King
And to follow the star wherever it went.
They followed the star wherever it went
This star drew nigh to the north-west;
The star drew near to the north-west
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
The star rested over Bethlehem
And there it did both stop and stay,
The star stopped and stayed there
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
The star was right over the place where Jesus was laying
Then entered in those wise men three,
The three wise men entered
Fell reverently upon their knee,
They fell to their knees in a reverent manner
And offered there in his presence
They offered gifts in the presence of Jesus
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
They offered gold, myrrh, and frankincense
Then let us all with one accord
Let us all sing together
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
Let us praise our heavenly Lord
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
God created heaven and earth out of nothing
And with his blood mankind has bought.
He purchased mankind with his blood
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Noel was repeated four times
Born is the King of Israel.
The King of Israel was born
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC , Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES CALELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind