The First Noel
St. Finian's Caroling Choir Lyrics

The first Noel the angel did say
The angel announced and proclaimed the birth of Jesus to the shepherds

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:
The message of Jesus' birth was first delivered to poor shepherds who were resting in a field

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

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
The night when Jesus was born was bitterly cold and dark

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Noel means Christmas, so this repeated line is a celebratory one, rejoicing about the birth of Jesus

Born is the King of Israel.
Jesus, the King of Israel, has been born

Then they looked up and saw a star,
The shepherds noticed a star in the sky

Shining in the east, beyond them far:
The star was bright and located far away in the east

And to the earth it gave great light,
The star illuminated the earth with a great light

And so it continued both day and night.
The star shone constantly, both during the day and night

And by the light of that same star
The wise men followed the same star that the shepherds saw

Three wise men came from the country far
Three wise men journeyed from a distant land to see Jesus

To seek for a King was their intent,
The wise men were searching for a king

And to follow the star wherever it went.
The wise men followed the star as it led them to Jesus

This star drew nigh to the north-west;
The star moved closer to the northwest direction

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
The star stopped and stayed over Bethlehem

And there it did both stop and stay,
The star remained still over the place where Jesus was born

Right over the place where Jesus lay.
The star was directly above the location where Jesus was born

Then entered in those wise men three,
The three wise men entered the place where Jesus lay

Fell reverently upon their knee,
The wise men knelt down respectfully in front of Jesus

And offered there in his presence
The wise men presented their gifts to baby Jesus

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
The wise men gave gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to Jesus

Then let us all with one accord
Let's all sing together in agreement

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
We should sing praises to our Lord who is in heaven

That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
God created the heavens and the earth from nothing

And with his blood mankind has bought.
Jesus purchased mankind with his own blood

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Again, this repeated line represents a celebration of Christmas and the birth of Jesus

Born is the King of Israel.
This line reiterates that Jesus, the King of Israel, has been born