40:
1747:
1711:
1699:
169:
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. Writing in the
52:
1362:
53:
1787:
1630:
1662:
31:
1163:
1307:
1280:
1253:
1235:
235:
85:
196:
and was later remembered as the melody rather than a harmony. A conjectural reconstruction of this earlier version can be found in
1767:
1197:
172:
246:
In common with many traditional songs and carols, the lyrics vary across books. The versions compared below are taken from
1226:
1104:
280:
198:
1737:
113:
192:
part to another carol "Hark, hark what news the angels bring"; her suggestion was that the treble part was passed down
1777:
1703:
1782:
1188:
284:
177:
51:
1772:
1013:
1083:
227:
1332:
248:
214:
1522:
1495:
1468:
1037:
253:
1119:
205:
Today, "The First Nowell" is usually performed in a four-part hymn arrangement by the
English composer
1414:
1387:
1667:
1635:
1615:
1597:
1579:
1554:
1527:
1500:
1473:
1446:
1441:
1419:
1392:
986:
968:
922:
890:
852:
699:
131:
89:
1611:
1593:
1575:
963:
81:
1715:
1205:
181:
159:
1549:
39:
1640:
1672:
1231:
917:
903:
308:
300:
288:
163:
155:
151:
1366:
981:
847:
657:
1160:
1751:
1167:
670:
73:
180:
notes it was not recorded prior to Sandys' publication. She speculated based on a set of
1092:
carol of the 16th or 17th century, but possibly dating from as early as the 13th century
1221:
1045:
292:
219:
193:
117:
77:
1761:
1144:
1103:
Christmas carols were common as early as the 15th century. ... Many carols, such as '
866:
304:
265:
1302:
1275:
1248:
1041:
638:
569:
257:
206:
50:
727:
189:
185:
1726:
1722:
1710:
597:
17:
885:
828:
604:
135:
1698:
942:
231:
101:
1209:
938:
147:
296:
230:
made audio recordings of several traditional versions of the song in
565:
38:
1107:' and 'The First Nowell', date from the 16th century or earlier.
561:
150:
of carols in the Middle Ages towards the early modern period;
1415:"Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot Gospel Streaming Songs)"
1179:
Selden MS, B.26 f.14v. in Edith
Rickert (1914), pp. 165–166.
822:
677:
272:(1929) and Reverend Charles Lewis Hutchins's version in
1550:"Glee Cast Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales)"
1388:"Whitney Houston Chart History (Gospel Digital Songs)"
234:
in the early 1930s, which can be heard online via the
1735:
1663:"Owl City Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales)"
341:
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
311:; it does not appear in the story of the shepherds.
1161:"The James Catalogue of Western Manuscripts O.3.58"
162:) and "Nowel – out of youre slepe arise and wake" (
30:For the choral work by Ralph Vaughan Williams, see
1612:"Gabby Barrett Chart History (Hot Country Songs)"
213:in 1871. Variations of its theme are included in
146:" of birth". The word was regularly used in the
142:, "the Christmas season", ultimately from Latin
104:origin. Its current form was first published in
528:And seemed o'er the City of Bethlehem to rest,
526:The Star went before them unto the North West,
343:In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
1442:"Whitney Houston Chart History (Holiday 100)"
532:Right over the place where Jesus Christ lay.
84:, although possibly earlier. It is listed as
8:
1631:"Owl City – Chart History: Christian Songs"
1303:"First Noel, The (VWML Song Index SN16748)"
1276:"First Noel, The (VWML Song Index SN16739)"
1249:"First Noel, The (VWML Song Index SN16732)"
1151:(London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), p. 218
1149:Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400–1700
1052:(London: Novello, Ewer & Co., c. 1878).
478:And to follow the star whersoever it went:
188:that the tune may have had its origin as a
1523:"Hot Gospel Streaming Songs Year End 2019"
1496:"Hot Gospel Streaming Songs Year End 2018"
1469:"Hot Gospel Streaming Songs Year End 2017"
1344:
1342:
1099:The Hutchinson Concise Dictionary of Music
1062:
1060:
1058:
948:
872:
834:
749:
686:
644:
450:And there it continued a day and a night.
345:On a cold winter's night that was so deep:
1576:"Gabby Barrett Chart History (Canada AC)"
1170:, Trinity College Library, Cambridge 2014
1033:
1031:
1029:
530:And there did remain by night and by day,
513:4. This star drew nigh to the north-west;
491:They follow'd the Star wherever it went.
371:To shepherds there in the fields did lay;
609:And with his blood mankind hath bought:
554:5. Then entered in those Wise Men three,
437:And so it continued both day and night:
373:Late in the night a-folding their sheep,
313:
1742:
1594:"Gabby Barrett Chart History (Hot 100)"
1124:Eytmonline: Online Etymology Dictionary
1025:
504:The star their guide where'er it went.
291:described in the second chapter of the
1327:
1325:
1191:, "Note on the Carol 'The First Nowell
1070:(Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), No. 643.
543:The wise men learnt its cause of stay,
519:Right over the place where Jesus lay:
502:They sought a king, such their intent,
472:3. And by the light of that same star,
403:At midnight watch, when keeping sheep,
375:A winter's night, both cold and bleak.
158:), "Nowell sing we now all and some" (
1078:
1076:
579:Then enter'd in these Wise Men three,
545:And found the place where Jesus lay.
541:O'er Bethlehem town it took its rest;
500:Three wise men came from country far;
487:Three Wise Men came from country far;
474:Three Wise Men came from country far;
448:Unto the earth it gave a great light,
435:And to the earth it gave great light,
433:Shining in the east, beyond them far:
401:To Bethlehem's shepherds as they lay.
339:1. The first Nowell the angel did say
252:(1986) (which is the version used in
112:(1833), both of which were edited by
7:
620:To save us all from bond and thrall,
585:The gifts of gold and frankincense.
498:Now by the light of this bright star
476:To seek for a King was their intent,
463:This star it set now day nor night.
459:Bright in the East, beyond them far,
405:The winter wild, the light snow deep
1352:(London: Reid Bros., 1929), p. 126.
1336:, (Canterbury Press, 1986), No. 36.
1097:Barrie Jones, ed. (2014). "carol".
539:Then drawing nigh to the northwest,
517:And there it did both stop and stay
485:And by the light of that same Star,
461:Its beauty gave them great delight,
32:The First Nowell (Vaughan Williams)
581:With reverence fall on their knee,
558:And offered there in his presence,
457:The shepherds rose, and saw a star
446:Whose glory then did shine so far:
369:O well, O well, the Angels did say
120:(who also wrote extra lyrics) for
25:
1308:Vaughan Williams Memorial Library
1281:Vaughan Williams Memorial Library
1254:Vaughan Williams Memorial Library
618:Our Blest Messiah's place it was;
601:Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
489:To seek a King was their intent –
444:And then there did appear a Star,
431:2. They looked up and saw a star,
236:Vaughan Williams Memorial Library
1745:
1709:
1697:
1230:(Oxford University Press, 1992)
1198:Journal of the Folk-Song Society
603:That hath made heaven and earth
556:Full reverently upon their knee,
515:O'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
173:Journal of the Folk-Song Society
48:
1788:Hymns in The New English Hymnal
616:'Tween an ox manger and an ass,
387:O well, O well, O well, O well,
357:Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
166:) being 15th century examples.
1620:. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
1602:. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
1584:. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
1143:British Library, Add.5665, in
622:He was a Redeemer for us all!
583:And offer'd up in His presence
399:The first Noel, the angels say
1:
1227:The New Oxford Book of Carols
1204:19 (June 1915), pp. 240–242.
1105:God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
1088:Hymns and Carols of Christmas
1066:Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins,
281:annunciation to the shepherds
199:The New Oxford Book of Carols
80:origins most likely from the
72:)", is a traditional English
596:6. Then let us all with one
422:Born is the King of Israel.
392:Born is the King of Israel.
362:Born is the King of Israel.
303:appears in the story of the
801:US Gospel Streaming Songs (
781:US Gospel Streaming Songs (
761:US Gospel Streaming Songs (
714:US Gospel Streaming Songs (
656:South Korea International (
116:and arranged and edited by
1804:
1363:"2010년 48주차 Digital Chart"
982:Holiday Digital Song Sales
848:Holiday Digital Song Sales
285:adoration of the shepherds
268:'s gallery version in the
29:
1068:Carols Old and Carols New
979:
961:
954:
951:
915:
901:
883:
878:
875:
845:
840:
837:
800:
795:
792:
780:
775:
772:
760:
755:
752:
725:
713:
697:
692:
689:
655:
650:
647:
330:Carols Old and Carols New
274:Carols Old and Carols New
209:, first published in his
110:Gilbert and Sandys Carols
106:Carols Ancient and Modern
100:"The First Nowell" is of
1166:24 December 2014 at the
1014:List of Christmas carols
1768:British Christmas songs
228:James Madison Carpenter
122:Hymns and Carols of God
27:English Christmas carol
1721:Free arrangements for
1333:The New English Hymnal
417:Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
318:The New English Hymnal
307:(the Wise Men) in the
249:The New English Hymnal
215:Victor Hely-Hutchinson
57:
43:"The First Nowell" in
1350:The Cornish Song Book
1038:Henry Ramsden Bramley
254:Henry Ramsden Bramley
42:
1706:at Wikimedia Commons
700:Gospel Digital Songs
287:are episodes in the
226:American folklorist
184:parts discovered in
132:Early Modern English
90:Roud Folk Song Index
1675:on 21 December 2019
1643:on 18 November 2021
262:Carols, New and Old
211:Carols, New and Old
82:early modern period
45:Carols, New and Old
1778:Cornish folk songs
1189:Annie G. Gilchrist
1084:"The First Nowell"
1050:Carols New and Old
1046:"The First Nowell"
838:Chart (2012–2013)
242:Textual comparison
160:Trinity Carol Roll
96:Origin and history
64:", modernised as "
58:
1783:Songs about Jesus
1714:Works related to
1702:Media related to
1004:
1003:
997:
996:
933:
932:
918:Hot Country Songs
863:
862:
819:
818:
812:
811:
741:
740:
667:
666:
630:
629:
309:Gospel of Matthew
301:Star of Bethlehem
289:nativity of Jesus
164:Selden Carol Book
156:Ritson Manuscript
54:
16:(Redirected from
1795:
1773:Christmas carols
1750:
1749:
1748:
1741:
1716:The First Nowell
1713:
1704:The First Nowell
1701:
1685:
1684:
1682:
1680:
1671:. Archived from
1659:
1653:
1652:
1650:
1648:
1639:. Archived from
1627:
1621:
1609:
1603:
1591:
1585:
1573:
1567:
1566:
1564:
1562:
1546:
1540:
1539:
1537:
1535:
1519:
1513:
1512:
1510:
1508:
1492:
1486:
1485:
1483:
1481:
1465:
1459:
1458:
1456:
1454:
1438:
1432:
1431:
1429:
1427:
1411:
1405:
1404:
1402:
1400:
1384:
1378:
1377:
1375:
1373:
1359:
1353:
1346:
1337:
1329:
1320:
1319:
1317:
1315:
1299:
1293:
1292:
1290:
1288:
1272:
1266:
1265:
1263:
1261:
1245:
1239:
1218:
1212:
1194:
1186:
1180:
1177:
1171:
1158:
1152:
1141:
1135:
1134:
1132:
1130:
1116:
1110:
1109:
1094:
1080:
1071:
1064:
1053:
1035:
952:Chart (2011–12)
949:
873:
835:
823:
750:
690:Chart (2012–21)
687:
678:
645:
421:
416:
409:
391:
386:
379:
361:
356:
349:
324:Cornish Songbook
314:
270:Cornish Songbook
62:The First Nowell
56:
55:
21:
1803:
1802:
1798:
1797:
1796:
1794:
1793:
1792:
1758:
1757:
1756:
1746:
1744:
1736:
1694:
1689:
1688:
1678:
1676:
1661:
1660:
1656:
1646:
1644:
1629:
1628:
1624:
1610:
1606:
1592:
1588:
1574:
1570:
1560:
1558:
1548:
1547:
1543:
1533:
1531:
1521:
1520:
1516:
1506:
1504:
1494:
1493:
1489:
1479:
1477:
1467:
1466:
1462:
1452:
1450:
1440:
1439:
1435:
1425:
1423:
1413:
1412:
1408:
1398:
1396:
1386:
1385:
1381:
1371:
1369:
1361:
1360:
1356:
1348:Ralph Dunstan,
1347:
1340:
1330:
1323:
1313:
1311:
1301:
1300:
1296:
1286:
1284:
1274:
1273:
1269:
1259:
1257:
1247:
1246:
1242:
1220:Hugh Keyte and
1219:
1215:
1192:
1187:
1183:
1178:
1174:
1168:Wayback Machine
1159:
1155:
1142:
1138:
1128:
1126:
1118:
1117:
1113:
1096:
1082:
1081:
1074:
1065:
1056:
1036:
1027:
1022:
1010:
1005:
964:Christian Songs
956:
947:
871:
833:
820:
748:
746:Year-end charts
685:
675:
671:Whitney Houston
643:
635:
624:
621:
619:
617:
611:
608:
602:
600:
587:
584:
582:
580:
574:
559:
557:
555:
547:
544:
542:
540:
534:
531:
529:
527:
521:
518:
516:
514:
506:
503:
501:
499:
493:
490:
488:
486:
480:
477:
475:
473:
465:
462:
460:
458:
452:
449:
447:
445:
439:
436:
434:
432:
424:
419:
418:
414:
413:
407:
406:
404:
402:
400:
394:
389:
388:
384:
383:
377:
376:
374:
372:
370:
364:
359:
358:
354:
353:
347:
346:
344:
342:
340:
244:
98:
74:Christmas carol
49:
35:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1801:
1799:
1791:
1790:
1785:
1780:
1775:
1770:
1760:
1759:
1755:
1754:
1734:
1733:
1719:
1707:
1693:
1692:External links
1690:
1687:
1686:
1654:
1622:
1604:
1586:
1568:
1541:
1514:
1487:
1460:
1433:
1406:
1379:
1354:
1338:
1321:
1294:
1267:
1240:
1222:Andrew Parrott
1213:
1181:
1172:
1153:
1136:
1111:
1072:
1054:
1024:
1023:
1021:
1018:
1017:
1016:
1009:
1006:
1002:
1001:
995:
994:
991:
977:
976:
973:
959:
958:
953:
946:
936:
934:
931:
930:
927:
913:
912:
909:
899:
898:
895:
881:
880:
877:
870:
864:
861:
860:
857:
843:
842:
839:
832:
826:
821:
817:
816:
810:
809:
806:
798:
797:
794:
790:
789:
786:
778:
777:
774:
770:
769:
766:
758:
757:
754:
747:
744:
742:
739:
738:
735:
723:
722:
719:
711:
710:
707:
695:
694:
691:
684:
681:
676:
674:
668:
665:
664:
661:
653:
652:
649:
642:
636:
634:
631:
628:
627:
625:
614:
612:
594:
591:
590:
588:
577:
575:
552:
549:
548:
537:
535:
524:
522:
511:
508:
507:
496:
494:
483:
481:
470:
467:
466:
455:
453:
442:
440:
429:
426:
425:
397:
395:
367:
365:
337:
334:
333:
327:
321:
293:Gospel of Luke
243:
240:
220:Carol Symphony
182:church gallery
178:Anne Gilchrist
152:Sir Christèmas
138:" from French
118:Davies Gilbert
114:William Sandys
97:
94:
66:The First Noel
26:
24:
18:The First Noël
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1800:
1789:
1786:
1784:
1781:
1779:
1776:
1774:
1771:
1769:
1766:
1765:
1763:
1753:
1743:
1739:
1732:
1731:Cantorion.org
1728:
1724:
1720:
1718:at Wikisource
1717:
1712:
1708:
1705:
1700:
1696:
1695:
1691:
1674:
1670:
1669:
1664:
1658:
1655:
1642:
1638:
1637:
1632:
1626:
1623:
1619:
1618:
1613:
1608:
1605:
1601:
1600:
1595:
1590:
1587:
1583:
1582:
1577:
1572:
1569:
1557:
1556:
1551:
1545:
1542:
1530:
1529:
1524:
1518:
1515:
1503:
1502:
1497:
1491:
1488:
1476:
1475:
1470:
1464:
1461:
1449:
1448:
1443:
1437:
1434:
1422:
1421:
1416:
1410:
1407:
1395:
1394:
1389:
1383:
1380:
1368:
1365:(in Korean).
1364:
1358:
1355:
1351:
1345:
1343:
1339:
1335:
1334:
1328:
1326:
1322:
1310:
1309:
1304:
1298:
1295:
1283:
1282:
1277:
1271:
1268:
1256:
1255:
1250:
1244:
1241:
1237:
1236:0-19-353323-5
1233:
1229:
1228:
1223:
1217:
1214:
1211:
1207:
1203:
1200:
1199:
1190:
1185:
1182:
1176:
1173:
1169:
1165:
1162:
1157:
1154:
1150:
1146:
1145:Edith Rickert
1140:
1137:
1125:
1121:
1115:
1112:
1108:
1106:
1101:. Routledge.
1100:
1093:
1089:
1085:
1079:
1077:
1073:
1069:
1063:
1061:
1059:
1055:
1051:
1047:
1043:
1039:
1034:
1032:
1030:
1026:
1019:
1015:
1012:
1011:
1007:
1000:
992:
989:
988:
983:
978:
974:
971:
970:
965:
960:
950:
944:
940:
937:
935:
928:
925:
924:
919:
914:
910:
908:
906:
900:
896:
893:
892:
887:
882:
879:Peakposition
876:Chart (2020)
874:
868:
867:Gabby Barrett
865:
858:
855:
854:
849:
844:
841:Peakposition
836:
830:
827:
825:
824:
815:
807:
804:
799:
796:Peakposition
793:Chart (2019)
791:
787:
784:
779:
776:Peakposition
773:Chart (2018)
771:
767:
764:
759:
756:Peakposition
753:Chart (2017)
751:
745:
743:
736:
733:
729:
724:
720:
717:
712:
708:
705:
701:
696:
693:Peakposition
688:
683:Weekly charts
682:
680:
679:
672:
669:
662:
659:
654:
651:Peakposition
648:Chart (2010)
646:
640:
637:
632:
626:
623:
613:
610:
606:
599:
593:
592:
589:
586:
576:
573:
571:
567:
563:
551:
550:
546:
536:
533:
523:
520:
510:
509:
505:
495:
492:
482:
479:
469:
468:
464:
454:
451:
441:
438:
428:
427:
423:
412:
396:
393:
382:
366:
363:
352:
336:
335:
331:
328:
325:
322:
319:
316:
315:
312:
310:
306:
302:
298:
294:
290:
286:
282:
277:
275:
271:
267:
266:Ralph Dunstan
263:
259:
255:
251:
250:
241:
239:
237:
233:
229:
224:
222:
221:
216:
212:
208:
203:
201:
200:
195:
191:
187:
183:
179:
175:
174:
167:
165:
161:
157:
153:
149:
145:
141:
137:
133:
129:
125:
123:
119:
115:
111:
107:
103:
95:
93:
91:
87:
83:
79:
75:
71:
67:
63:
46:
41:
37:
33:
19:
1730:
1677:. Retrieved
1673:the original
1666:
1657:
1645:. Retrieved
1641:the original
1634:
1625:
1616:
1607:
1598:
1589:
1580:
1571:
1559:. Retrieved
1553:
1544:
1532:. Retrieved
1526:
1517:
1505:. Retrieved
1499:
1490:
1478:. Retrieved
1472:
1463:
1451:. Retrieved
1445:
1436:
1424:. Retrieved
1418:
1409:
1397:. Retrieved
1391:
1382:
1370:. Retrieved
1357:
1349:
1331:
1312:. Retrieved
1306:
1297:
1285:. Retrieved
1279:
1270:
1258:. Retrieved
1252:
1243:
1225:
1216:
1201:
1196:
1184:
1175:
1156:
1148:
1139:
1127:. Retrieved
1123:
1114:
1102:
1098:
1091:
1087:
1067:
1049:
1042:John Stainer
998:
985:
967:
921:
904:
889:
851:
813:
802:
782:
762:
731:
715:
703:
639:Mariah Carey
615:
595:
578:
570:frankincense
553:
538:
525:
512:
497:
484:
471:
456:
443:
430:
410:
398:
380:
368:
350:
338:
329:
323:
317:
278:
273:
269:
261:
258:John Stainer
247:
245:
225:
218:
210:
207:John Stainer
204:
197:
171:
168:
143:
139:
134:synonym of "
127:
126:
121:
109:
105:
99:
69:
65:
61:
59:
44:
36:
1679:19 February
1647:19 February
1129:29 December
728:Holiday 100
186:Westmorland
108:(1823) and
1762:Categories
1561:7 November
1534:29 October
1507:29 October
1480:29 October
1372:26 January
1020:References
86:number 682
1668:Billboard
1636:Billboard
1617:Billboard
1599:Billboard
1581:Billboard
1555:Billboard
1528:Billboard
1501:Billboard
1474:Billboard
1447:Billboard
1420:Billboard
1393:Billboard
1314:4 October
1287:4 October
1260:4 October
987:Billboard
969:Billboard
957:position
923:Billboard
905:Billboard
891:Billboard
853:Billboard
829:Glee Cast
803:Billboard
783:Billboard
763:Billboard
732:Billboard
716:Billboard
704:Billboard
605:of nought
176:in 1915,
136:Christmas
1752:Cornwall
1164:Archived
1008:See also
943:Owl City
283:and the
276:(1916).
232:Cornwall
144:natalis
1453:6 April
1426:6 April
1399:6 April
1210:4434017
945:version
939:TobyMac
907:Hot 100
884:Canada
869:version
831:version
673:version
641:version
411:Refrain
381:Refrain
351:Refrain
299:). The
102:Cornish
88:in the
78:Cornish
1738:Portal
1234:
1208:
1120:"Noel"
999:
814:
633:Charts
598:accord
560:Their
297:Luke 2
194:orally
190:treble
148:burden
130:is an
128:Nowell
68:" (or
47:(1879)
1729:from
1727:voice
1723:piano
1206:JSTOR
566:myrrh
76:with
1725:and
1681:2023
1649:2023
1563:2020
1536:2021
1509:2021
1482:2021
1455:2022
1428:2022
1401:2022
1374:2021
1367:Gaon
1316:2020
1289:2020
1262:2020
1232:ISBN
1131:2011
1040:and
955:Peak
941:and
658:Gaon
568:and
564:and
562:gold
305:Magi
279:The
256:and
140:Noël
70:Noël
1195:",
1048:in
993:18
980:US
975:30
962:US
929:19
916:US
911:78
902:US
897:33
859:49
846:US
808:48
788:21
768:49
737:99
726:US
709:12
698:US
663:62
264:),
260:'s
217:'s
1764::
1665:.
1633:.
1614:.
1596:.
1578:.
1552:.
1525:.
1498:.
1471:.
1444:.
1417:.
1390:.
1341:^
1324:^
1305:.
1278:.
1251:.
1224:,
1147:,
1122:.
1095:.
1090:.
1086:.
1075:^
1057:^
1044:,
1028:^
990:)
972:)
926:)
894:)
886:AC
856:)
805:)
785:)
765:)
734:)
721:1
718:)
706:)
660:)
572::
332:.
326:.
320:.
238:.
223:.
202:.
124:.
92:.
1740::
1683:.
1651:.
1565:.
1538:.
1511:.
1484:.
1457:.
1430:.
1403:.
1376:.
1318:.
1291:.
1264:.
1238:.
1202:5
1193:'
1133:.
984:(
966:(
920:(
888:(
850:(
730:(
702:(
607:,
420:—
415:—
408:—
390:—
385:—
378:—
360:—
355:—
348:—
295:(
154:(
60:"
34:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
