Who originally wrote The First Noel?

"The First Noel" is a common Christmas carol, but do you know what noel means?

According to the United Methodist Church's Discipleship Ministries website, "The First Noel" has roots in the fifteenth century and was published first in the revised edition of Some Ancient Christmas Carols in 1823 and was first printed in Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern in 1833.

The song originally had nine verses, but five are mostly used today.

"The song is a testament to the fact that no matter what the earth looks like, no matter how much time passes, the encouraging story of Jesus will always connect with the hearts that are desperate for Him," Taylor Brantley wrote in hymncharts.org.

What does 'Noel' mean?

According to Merriam-Webster, "noel," means a Christmas carol or Christmas. 

"English speakers borrowed the word noel from French. It can be traced further back to the Latin word natalis, which can mean 'birthday' as a noun or 'of or relating to birth' as an adjective," according to Merriam-Webster.

What are the lyrics to the first verse of 'The First Noel?'

The first Noel the angel did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

in field where they lay keeping their sheep

on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

born is the King of Israel.

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by Taylor Brantley

It is one of the most famous carols; a herald proclaiming the coming of Christmas. But how old is this song we grew up with, and where does it come from? The First Noel’s origins are humble, not unlike the story it tells.

Originating in Cornwall, a county in South West England, The First Noel came about during the Proto-Renaissance (the period that led into the Renaissance), during the 13th or 14th century. Miracle Plays were among the earliest forms of theater, and came about during this time. The plays portrayed famous Bible stories, and the story of Jesus’ birth would have been amongst the most popular. The First Noel is thought to have originated from one of these Miracle Plays. Perhaps the carol was written for a play, or simply inspired by a play. Either way, it took on a vibrant life of its own beyond the stage. Citizens of Cornwall would sing the carol in streets outside of churches, and the unique and beautiful song would latch onto all who heard it, its melody bringing joy, its lyrics bringing hope.

The First Noel survived and spread across the earth for centuries before being first transcribed in 1823. It was published within a collection of carols simply called Some Ancient Christmas Carols. This London publication sparked new life in the carol, and inspired Davies Gilbert and William Sandys to truly breathe new life into the ancient song. Sandys constructed a new arrangement for the carol, while Gilbert added new lyrics. They are credited for bringing the song into the modern era, and would be overjoyed to know their work has led to the carol being more alive today than ever before.

The First Noel was written as a way to express the excitement and wonder of Christmas. Hundreds of years ago, during a time without internet or phones, the people of Cornwall sang it in the streets as a way to spread hope and joy. The world may look very different today, but we still gather to sing the song for the same reasons. The song is a testament to the fact that no matter what the earth looks like, no matter how much time passes, the encouraging story of Jesus will always connect with the hearts that are desperate for Him.

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Cornish in origin 'The First Noel' carol is thought to date to around the 15th century. It was first published in 1823 Carols Ancient and Modern, and tells the story of the first Christmas.

Today it is usually sung to a tune by the English composer John Stainer, who also composed the hymn 'Love Divine'.

What does Noël mean, and what's the difference between Noël and Nowell?

Noël is French for Christmas, deriving from the Latin word natalis. Noël is the French spelling, while Nowell is the English spelling, which is why the carol is known as both 'The First Nowell' and 'The First Noel'

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:

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:

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 whersoever it went:

This star drew nigh to the north-west;
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay:

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense:

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 hath bought:

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