The First Noel
The Canterbury Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
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
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
The opening lines of "The First Noel" evoke a sense of wonder and mystery as they describe the first announcement of Jesus Christ's birth. The song commences with the revelation of the angels to a group of humble shepherds, giving the impression that the message of hope and salvation brought by the Christ Child is for all people, regardless of social status or wealth. The reference to the bleak and wintry landscape where the shepherds were keeping their sheep, highlights the symbolic significance of Christ's coming as a light that illuminates the darkness of the world and brings comfort to those who are lost and alone.
As the song progresses, the chorus of "Noel, Noel, Noel" reinforces the joyous message of the angels' proclamation that a king had been born in Israel. The use of repetition in the stanzas and chorus enhances the devotional and celebratory tone of the song, inspiring a sense of unity and community among those singing. Through "The First Noel", the Canterbury Choir invites listeners to join in the proclamation of Christ's birth and to experience the transformative power of his message of peace, love, and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel the angels did sing
The initial announcement of the birth of Christ was proclaimed by a heavenly choir of angels
Was to certain poor shepherds
The angels appeared to a particular group of humble shepherds who would come to be among the first to visit the newborn king
In fields as they lay
The shepherds were tending to their flock of sheep, resting in open fields outside of Bethlehem
In fields fields where they lay keeping their sheep
They were in a particular spot, tending their flock of sheep at the time they heard the angels' message
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
It was a bone-chilling winter night, so dark that it seemed endless
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
This is a refrain repeated throughout the song, and is a proclamation of Christ's birth
Born is the king of Israel
The long-awaited Messiah, prophesied to be the king of Israel, has finally arrived as a newborn baby
And to the Earth it gave great light
The birth of Christ brought light to a dark world, both figuratively and literally, as the angels' appearance brought the shepherds great light
And so it continued both day and night
The light and joy that came with the birth of Christ remained constant, shining both day and night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES CALELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NAT low
Excellent version choir
Aschyro
Magnific