From Oremus Hymnal
The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields as 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.
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:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
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.
Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
Historical Notes
Author
- traditional English carol, seventeenth century
Meter
Sound files
Other Comments
Sources
Hymnals
| Hymnal
| Number
| Tunes Used
|
| Hymns of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 1826
| #
|
|
| Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1861-1874
| #
|
|
| The Year of Praise, 1867
| #
|
|
| The Anglican Hymn Book, 1868
| #
|
|
| The Sarum Hymnal, 1869
| #
|
|
| The Parish Hymnal, 1870
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnal (US), 1871-1874
| #
|
|
| Church Hymns with Tunes, 1874
| #
|
|
| Church Hymnal (Church of Ireland), 1874
| #
|
|
| Hymns Ancient & Modern, Standard, 1875-1924
| #
|
|
| A Church of England Hymn Book, 1879
| #
|
|
| The Universal Hymn Book, 1885
| #
|
|
| The Mission Hymnal, 1885
| #
|
|
| The Hymnal Companion, 1890
| #
|
|
| The Hymnal Companion, 1890
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnal, 1892 (Darlington)
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnal, 1892 (Parker)
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnal, 1892 (Hutchins)
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnal, 1892 (Tucker & Rousseau)
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnal, 1892 (Helfenstein)
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnal, 1892 (Messiter)
| #
|
|
| The Yattendon Hymnal, 1900
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnary (Scotland), 1902
| #
|
|
| Church Hymns, New Edition, 1903
| #
|
|
| Hymns Ancient & Modern, New Edition, 1904
| #
|
|
| The English Hymnal, 1906
| #
|
|
| The Book of Common Praise (Canada), 1908
| #
|
|
| The Mission Hymnal, 1913
| #
|
|
| The Hymnal 1916 (US)
| #
|
|
| Church Hymnal for the Christian Year, 1917
| #
|
|
| Church Hymnal (Ireland), 1919
| #
|
|
| Church Hymnal Revised, 1920 (Hutchins)
| #
|
|
| The Oxford Hymn Book, 1925
| #
|
|
| Songs of Praise, 1925
| #
|
|
| Songs of Praise, Enlarged Edition, 1931
| #
|
|
| The Book of Common Praise (Canada), 1938
| #
|
|
| The Hymnal 1940 (US)
| #
|
|
| Christian Worship, 1941
| #
|
|
| Hymns Ancient & Modern, Revised, 1950
| #
|
|
| The Mirfield Mission Hymn Book, 1955
| #
|
|
| Church Hymnal (Ireland), 1960
| #
|
|
| Anglican Hymn Book, 1965
| #
|
|
| The Hymn Book 1971 (Canada)
| #
|
|
| The Australian Hymn Book, 1977
| #
|
|
| The Hymnal 1982 (US)
| #
|
|
| Hymns Ancient & Modern, New Standard, 1983
| #
|
|
| The New English Hymnal, 1985
| # 36
| The First Nowell
|
| Hymns for Today's Church, 1987
| #
|
|
| Church Family Worship, 1988
| #
|
|
| Hymns Old & New, New Anglican, 1996
| #
|
|
| Common Praise (Canada), 1998
| #
|
|
| Together in Song (Australia), 1999
| #
|
|
| Sing Glory, 1999
| #
|
|
| Complete Mission Praise, 2000
| #
|
|
| Common Praise, 2000
| #
|
|
| Hymns Old & New, Complete Anglican, 2000
| #
|
|
| Church Hymnal (Ireland), 2000
| #
|
|
| The Church Hymnary, Fourth Edition (Scotland), 2005
| #
|
|
| The Book of Hymns, 2006
| #
|
|
| Zion Still Sings, 2007
| #
|
|
External links
