They began in the 80's and spent their early years touring hundreds of universities country wide. They received the Contemporary Artist of the Year aware in 1994 and 1994 by the National Association for Campus Activities. They found international success with a number one hit in a handful of European countries with a remake of Dean Friedman's quirky song, "McDonald's Girl." The Blenders continue writing their own music as well as adapting songs of their favorite artists.
More recently they have an enormously successful holiday concert tour from their holiday albums. The Blenders delight their audiences with their signature vocal sound and are often described as, "one of America's best-kept vocal secrets".
The First Noel
The Blenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields, where they lay
laying keeping their sheep
On a cold winters night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
ooh
They looked up
and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far
and to the earth
How 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
ooh
The lyrics to The Blenders' version of "The First Noel" describe the story of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds in a field. The song begins with the angels declaring "the first Noel," which translates to "the first announcement" or "the first Christmas." The angels then tell the shepherds, who were poor and likely considered outsiders in their society, about the birth of the king of Israel.
The imagery of the shepherds keeping watch over their sheep in the cold, dark night is a significant contrast to the idea of a king being born. However, this contrast emphasizes the humble nature of Jesus' birth and the fact that his message was intended for all people, not just the wealthy or powerful. The shepherds looked up and saw a bright star shining in the sky which they followed to find the baby in a manger.
The song repeats the refrain of "Noel" throughout, which is not a name but rather a term used to celebrate Christmas. The final line of "Born is the king of Israel" ties back to the beginning of the song and affirms the significance of Jesus' birth. Overall, "The First Noel" is a powerful and timeless reminder of the humble beginnings of the Christmas story and the message of hope and peace that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel
The initial announcement
The angels did say
It was declared by the messengers of Heaven
Was to certain poor shepherds
Given to lowly herdsmen
In fields as they lay
While resting with their flock under the stars
In fields, where they lay
In a meadow, where they rest
laying keeping their sheep
Tending to their animals while they rest
On a cold winters night
During a frigid evening of the season
that was so deep
With a darkness that is profound
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Exclamation that is a blend of French and English
Born is the king of Israel
A triumphal proclamation of the Messiah's birth
They looked up
They glanced upward
and saw a star
Viewed a bright celestial body
shining in the east beyond them far
Radiating beyond them in the direction of sunrise
and to the earth
It illuminated the ground
How it gave great light
And how brightly it shone
And so it continued.
As the star persisted over time
Both day and night
Through each daily cycle
Writer(s): Elvis Presley
Contributed by Kaylee C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.