The First Noel
A traditional English carol that beautifully recounts the nativity story through cumulative verses and a joyful refrain.
With its repetitive structure and folk melody, "The First Noel" tells the Christmas story in a narrative, almost ballad-like style that has endured for centuries. The following table summarizes its key details.
| Song Title | Author (Lyricist) | Composer (Music) | Year | Original Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The First Noel | Traditional English Carol (Anonymous) |
Traditional English Melody | 17th-18th century (origins) 1823 (first publication) |
West Country folk tradition |
Historical Background
"The First Noel" (sometimes spelled "Nowell") is one of the oldest surviving English Christmas carols, with roots that likely stretch back to the late medieval period. The word "Noel" comes from the French word for Christmas, which itself derives from the Latin "natalis" meaning "birth." The carol was part of the oral tradition of the West Country of England (Cornwall, Devon, and surrounding areas) for generations before being written down.
- A Christmas carol (particularly in French: "chanter des noëls")
- The Christmas season (as in "The First Noel" meaning "The First Christmas")
- A cry of joy associated with Christmas celebration
- In medieval England, "Nowell" was a common exclamation of joy during Christmas festivities
The carol was first published in 1823 in Some Ancient Christmas Carols by Davies Gilbert, who collected it from the oral tradition. It gained wider popularity when it appeared in William Sandys' 1833 collection, Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern. Sandys was an English antiquarian who played a crucial role in preserving and popularizing many traditional carols that might otherwise have been lost.
The familiar arrangement most people know today comes from John Stainer, the organist at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, who included it in his 1871 collection Christmas Carols New and Old. Stainer added the harmonization and the distinctive refrain that alternates between verses, creating the structure we recognize today.
As a folk carol, "The First Noel" has the characteristic features of oral tradition: repetitive structure, simple rhyme scheme, and cumulative storytelling. These features made it easy to remember and pass down through generations without written music or lyrics.
Biblical Foundation
The carol follows the biblical narrative of the nativity with particular attention to the shepherds and the Magi:
- Luke 2:8-11 – The angel's appearance to the shepherds: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'" This is directly referenced in "They lookèd up and saw a star, Shining in the east beyond them far."
- Matthew 2:1-2 – The Magi following the star: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'" This is captured in "And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night."
- Matthew 2:9-11 – The star leading to Jesus: "After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." This journey is narrated through multiple verses of the carol.
- Luke 2:15-16 – The shepherds' response: "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." This is reflected in "Then entered in those wise men three, Full reverently upon their knee."
- Philippians 2:10-11 – Universal worship of Christ: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This is the theological foundation for "Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord."
The carol's narrative approach makes it particularly effective for teaching the Christmas story, as it moves sequentially through the events from the angelic announcement to the wise men's worship.
Full Lyrics (Traditional Version)
The complete carol with its traditional cumulative verses:
Note: Some versions include additional verses or slight variations in wording. The spelling "lookèd" with the accent is traditional and indicates two syllables ("look-ed") to maintain the meter. Modern versions sometimes simplify this to "looked."
Folk Origins & Preservation
Anonymous Folk Origins: Like many traditional carols, "The First Noel" was created collectively by communities rather than a single author. It emerged from the West Country of England, where Christmas traditions were particularly rich and where the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon traditions blended. The carol likely evolved over centuries, with different communities adding or modifying verses.
Davies Gilbert (1767-1839): Born Davies Giddy, he was a Cornish engineer, author, and politician who served as President of the Royal Society. His interest in preserving Cornish culture led him to collect and publish traditional carols. His 1823 collection included "The First Noel" in its earliest known written form. Gilbert's contribution was crucial in saving the carol from being lost as oral traditions declined during the Industrial Revolution.
William Sandys (1792-1874): An English solicitor and antiquarian, Sandys expanded on Gilbert's work with his more comprehensive 1833 collection. His version included additional verses and helped standardize the carol. Sandys was instrumental in the Victorian revival of Christmas traditions, which had been in decline due to Puritan influences and industrialization.
John Stainer (1840-1901): As organist at St. Paul's Cathedral and a noted composer, Stainer created the harmonization that became standard. His musical setting, published in the 1871 collection he co-edited with Henry Bramley, gave the carol the majestic, processional quality it has today. Stainer's arrangement balanced the carol's folk origins with Victorian musical sensibilities, making it suitable for both church and home.
The carol's survival illustrates the importance of 19th-century antiquarians in preserving folk traditions that might otherwise have disappeared as England urbanized and traditional rural life changed dramatically.
Background Music & Melody
The traditional melody is in a simple, folk style with a distinctive repetitive structure. The tune is in a major key (usually G or D major) and follows a straightforward AAB form where the first musical phrase is repeated before moving to a contrasting phrase and then the refrain.
Musical Structure:
- A Section (first two lines): A gentle, ascending melody that tells the narrative
- A Section (next two lines): Repetition of the same melody with different text
- B Section (fifth line): A contrasting musical idea that builds tension
- Refrain ("Noel, Noel..."): A triumphant, repetitive conclusion to each verse
The harmony in Stainer's arrangement typically uses I-IV-V chords with occasional secondary dominants for color. The simplicity of the harmony makes it accessible for congregational singing while allowing for rich choral arrangements. The refrain's repeated "Noel" builds excitement through both repetition and harmonic progression.
Rhythmic Character: The carol is usually in 3/4 time (waltz time), giving it a gentle, swaying quality appropriate for both processional singing and contemplative reflection. Some folk versions use a more flexible rhythm that follows the natural speech patterns of the text.
Performance Traditions: The carol is often performed with increasing intensity through each verse, culminating in a triumphant final refrain. It works particularly well as a processional or recessional in Christmas services. The repetitive structure allows for creative arrangements, such as alternating solo verses with full choir refrains, or adding instrumental interludes between verses.
Notable arrangements include the King's College Choir version (with its characteristically pure English choirboy sound), the folk rendition by Joan Baez (which emphasizes the carol's humble origins), the orchestral arrangement by The Boston Pops, and the contemporary interpretation by Carrie Underwood. The carol has also been featured in numerous films and television specials, often to represent traditional English Christmas celebrations.
Educational Value: "The First Noel" is particularly beloved in educational settings because its cumulative, narrative structure makes it excellent for teaching the Christmas story to children. Many school Christmas pageants use the carol as a musical framework for nativity plays, with different groups singing different verses corresponding to parts of the story.
