The First Noel facts for kids
"The First Nowell", also known as "The First Noel", is a very old and popular Christmas carol. It comes from Cornwall, England, and has been sung for hundreds of years. It's a traditional song often heard during the Christmas season.
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Where Did "The First Nowell" Come From?
This carol first appeared in Cornwall, a region in England. The version we know today was first printed in books like Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833). These books were put together by William Sandys and Davies Gilbert.
What Does "Nowell" Mean?
The word Nowell is an old English word for "Christmas". It comes from the French word Noël, which also means the Christmas season. This word comes from a Latin word meaning "day of birth". In the Middle Ages, "Nowell" was often used in the chorus of Christmas songs.
The Music of "The First Nowell"
The tune of "The First Nowell" is special because it uses one musical phrase repeated twice. Then, the chorus is a slightly different version of that same phrase. All three parts end on the third note of the musical scale.
Today, the most common way "The First Nowell" is sung is with a four-part harmony. This arrangement was created by the English composer John Stainer. He first published it in his book Carols, New and Old in 1871.
In the early 1930s, an American expert named James Madison Carpenter recorded different traditional versions of the song. You can listen to these recordings online through the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.
The Words of "The First Nowell"
Like many old songs, the exact words of "The First Nowell" can be a little different depending on the songbook. The most common version tells a story from the Bible.
The Story in the Song
The carol tells about the shepherds who were watching their sheep when an angel appeared to them. This part of the story is found in the Gospel of Luke in the Bible.
The song also talks about the Star of Bethlehem. This bright star guided the Wise Men to where Jesus was born. This part of the story is found in the Gospel of Matthew. It's important to know that the star is part of the Wise Men's story, not the shepherds'.
Here is a common version of the lyrics:
| New English Hymnal Version |
|---|
| 1. The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; |
| 2. They looked up and saw a star, Shining in the east, beyond them far: |
| 3. And by the light of that same star, Three Wise Men came from country far; |
| 4. This star drew nigh to the north-west; O'er Bethlehem it took its rest; |
| 5. Then entered in those Wise Men three, Full reverently upon their knee, |
| 6. Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord |
See also
In Spanish: La Primera Navidad para niños
