Text: | The first nowell |
Tune: | THE FIRST NOWELL |
Composer (descant): | Healey Willan, 1880-1968 |
Harmonizer (alternate harmony): | Healey Willan , 1880-1968 |
1 The first nowell the angel 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.
Refrain:
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell!
Born is the King of Israel.
2 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. [Refrain]
3 And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to search for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]
4 This star drew nigh to the northwest;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]
5 Then entered in those wise men three
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold and myrrh and frankincense. [Refrain]
6 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 our life has bought. [Refrain]
Text Information | |
---|---|
First Line: | The first nowell the angel did say |
Title: | The first nowell |
Meter: | Irregular |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 1997 |
Scripture: | ; |
Topic: | Children and Youth: Christmas; Church Year: Christmas; Descants and Fauxbourdons(2 more...) |
Source: | English traditional, 17th century |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Tune Information | |
---|---|
Name: | THE FIRST NOWELL |
Composer (descant): | Healey Willan, 1880-1968 |
Harmonizer (alternate harmony): | Healey Willan , 1880-1968 |
Meter: | Irregular |
Key: | D Major |
Source: | English traditional carol; Sandy's Christmas Carols, 1833 |
Copyright: | Descant and alternate harmony © Oxford University Press |