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Text: | The First Nowell |
Tune: | THE FIRST NOWELL |
Harmonizer: | John Stainer |
Harmonizer and Composer (descant): | Healey Willan |
1 The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where they lay a-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 seek 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 hath bought. [Refrain]
Text Information | |
---|---|
First Line: | The first Nowell the angel did say |
Title: | The First Nowell |
Refrain First Line: | Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell |
Meter: | Irregular with refrain |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 1996 |
Topic: | The Christian Year: Epiphany; Angels; Biblical Characters: Wisemen/Sages/Kings(10 more...) |
Source: | English traditional carol, ca. 17th century |
Tune Information | |
---|---|
Name: | THE FIRST NOWELL |
Harmonizer: | John Stainer (1871) |
Harmonizer and Composer (descant): | Healey Willan (1926) |
Meter: | Irregular with refrain |
Key: | D Major |
Copyright: | Refrain harmony and descant copyright © 1926 Oxford University Press, Inc. |