Whew! barely escaped the Cliché police. I heard one guy say “All in a days work” and I turned his comrades against him.
Well as it is December 1st we’ll start with the appropriate The First Noel. The First Noel or just Noel is a traditional English Christmas carol most likely from the 18th century according to Wikipedia. However the Wiki isn’t always correct about song dates, and some sources say It’s from the 16th century. Edited by possibly uneducated masses or made buy guys who may actually know what they are talking about. You choose. The form we know comes from Cornwall and was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Christmas Carols (1833), both of which were edited by William B. Sandys and arranged, edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert, once again according to the Wikipedia. Now before I get to the song I must point out that the song, even though you have always read it this way and I’ve used this spelling all throughout the post, The name is The First Nowell. But the name has been written, incorrectly, as The first noel for quite a while. It has become standard but the name is Nowell traditionally, and I don’t believe it has been officially changed. So keep writing Noel but keep the original in mind before sending it to a friend who is picky about these things.
The first noel
This is only the first two verses and last verse because no one had the full version. Here are the FULL lyrics.
The first Noel the angels 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
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
They lookèd 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 wheresoever 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,
Fell 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:
And Puzzle from www.brownielocks.com
The primary carol
that means the first noel. stump your friends!
