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The First Nowell
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The 7th track from the album 'A Present From Christmas Past'
pop rock folk country christmas chris paul bouzouki frettedfriends
Artist picture
Difficult to classify. Possibly folk, country, rock, pop...who knows?
Tobe A. Richards: Vocals, guitar, keyboards, mandolin, bass, bouzouki, cittern, cuatro, percussion etc. Chris Richards; Vocals Guests: Paul S. Baker: Vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, autoharp, percussion etc.
Song Info
Genre
Rock • Folk Rock
Charts
Peak #1,091
Peak in subgenre #71
Author
Music & Lyrics: Traditional
Rights
Transongs 2006
Uploaded
April 09, 2006
Track Files
MP3
MP3 4.8 MB • 128 kbps • 5:12
Story behind the song
An early version of the First Nowell is thought to date back to the 13th century miracle plays, which in turn found its way into a Cornish manuscript of Christmas carols first published in 1817. It was then republished by Davies Gilbert in his 1823 work, Some Ancient Christmas Carols. This much travelled piece was subsequently added to William Sandys' famous compendium, Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern (London 1833). The Nowell of the title is also seen in its original French version of 'Noel' in some published works. Noel originally comes from the Latin 'natalis', meaning birth.
Lyrics
The First Nowell, the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter’s night that was so deep Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell Born is the King of Israel! They looked 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 Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell Born is the King of Israel! 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 Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell Born is the King of Israel! This star drew nigh to the northwest O’er Bethlehem it took its rest And there it did both Pause and stay Right o’er the place where Jesus lay Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell Born is the King of Israel! Then entered in those Wise men three Full reverently upon their knee And offered there in His presence Their gold and myrrh and frankincense Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell Born is the King of Israel! Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made Heaven and earth of nought And with his blood mankind has bought. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell Born is the King of Israel!
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