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Christmas Music, Part 21 – The First Noel

The First Nowell (also written The First Noël) is a traditional classical English carol, most likely from the 18th century, although possibly earlier.

The word Noel comes from the French word Noël meaning “Christmas”, from the Latin word natalis “birthday”.

The melody is unusual among English folk melodies in that it consists of one musical phrase repeated twice, followed by a refrain which is a variation on that phrase. All three phrases end on the third of the scale.

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

Refrain

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

Refrain

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Refrain

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered it them for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.

Refrain

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Refrain

Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there He was;
For want of clothing they did Him lay
All in a manger, among the hay.

Refrain

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 hath bought.

Refrain

If we in our time shall do well,
We shall be free from death and hell;
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general.

Refrain

The University of Utah Singers performed “The First Noel” arr. by Dan Forrest live in concert, December 11th & 12th, 2009 in Libby Gardner concert hall under the direction of Dr. Brady Allred.

Christmas Music, Part 15 – The First Noel

15 Dec

The First Nowell (also written The First Noël) is a traditional classical English carol, most likely from the 18th century, although possibly earlier.

The word Noel comes from the French word Noël meaning “Christmas”, from the Latin word natalis “birthday”.

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

Refrain

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

Refrain

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Refrain

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered it them for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.

Refrain

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Refrain

Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there He was;
For want of clothing they did Him lay
All in a manger, among the hay.

Refrain

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 hath bought.

Refrain

If we in our time shall do well,
We shall be free from death and hell;
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general.

Refrain

The University of Utah Singers perform “The First Noel” arr. by Dan Forrest live in concert, December 11th & 12th, 2009 in Libby Gardner concert hall under the direction of Dr. Brady Allred.

This Year’s Christmas Music

01 Dec

Here’s a quick listing of all the Christmas music from last year.

Alfred Burt Carols, Parts 13-15 Dec 13-15, 2012
Angels We Have Heard on High Dec 3, 2012
Auld Lang Syne, Dec 31, 2012
Birthday of a King Dec 23, 2012
Cantata: Night of the Father’s Love, Parts 16-19 Dec 16-19, 2012
Carol of the Bells Dec 5, 2012
Ding Dong Merrily Dec 11, 2012
Good King Wenceslas Dec 26, 2012
Hallelujah Chorus Dec 25, 2012
Hark the Herald Angels Sing Dec 7, 2012
Holly Jolly Christmas Dec 27-31
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Dec 4, 2012
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Dec 8, 2012
Johnny Marks Music – Dec 27-31
Joy to the World Dec 2, 2012
Just in time for Christmas Dec 6, 2012
Mary Did You Know Dec 9, 2012
O Holy Night Dec 24, 2012
O Little Town of Bethlehem Dec 20, 2012
Oh come, Oh come, Emmanuel Dec 10, 2012
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Dec 27-3131
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Dec 27-31
Run Rudolph Run Dec 27-31
Silver and Gold Dec 27-31
Sleigh Ride Dec 1, 2012
Still, Still, Still Dec 12, 2012
The First Noel Dec 21, 2012
We Three Kings Of Orient Are Dec 22, 2012

Possibilities for this year include:

Angels From The Realms Of Glory
Silent Night
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Lo, how a rose
Jesu bambino
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Muppet Christmas
Star of Bethlehem
Believe from the Polar Express
Holly and the ivy
Fum, fum, fum
Nutcracker Suite

Any Suggestions?

1 Comment

Posted by MaryO on December 1, 2013 in Christmas, Christmas Music, Holidays, Posts of Interest

Tags: A Holly Jolly Christmas, Alfred Burt, Angels We Have Heard On High, Auld Lang Syne, Cantata, carol, Carol of the Bells, Caroling Caroling, Christmas Cantata, Christmas Music, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Good King Wenceslas, Hallelujah Chorus, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Johnny Marks, Joy to the World, Just In Time For Christmas, Mary Did You Know, O Come Emmanuel, O Holy Night, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Run Rudolph Run, Silver and Gold, Sleigh Ride, Still, The First Noel, We Three Kings Of Orient Are

This Year’s Christmas Music

31 Dec

Here’s a quick listing of all the Christmas music from this year. Stay tuned December 1, 2013 for the next 30… (suggestions welcome!)

Possibilities for next year include:

Christmas Music, Part 21 – The First Noel

21 Dec

The First Nowell (also written The First Noël) is a traditional classical English carol, most likely from the 18th century, although possibly earlier.

The word Noel comes from the French word Noël meaning “Christmas”, from the Latin word natalis “birthday”.

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

Refrain

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

Refrain

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Refrain

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered it them for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.

Refrain

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Refrain

Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there He was;
For want of clothing they did Him lay
All in a manger, among the hay.

Refrain

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 hath bought.

Refrain

If we in our time shall do well,
We shall be free from death and hell;
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general.

Refrain

The University of Utah Singers perform “The First Noel” arr. by Dan Forrest live in concert, December 11th & 12th, 2009 in Libby Gardner concert hall under the direction of Dr. Brady Allred.