Christmas Carol of the Day, December 5: "The First Noël"
Click to viewThe First Noël
The First Noël, 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.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël
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.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël
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.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël
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 Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël
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.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël
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 has bought.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël
Born is the King of Israel!
About.com claims these are the Spanish words to "The First Noël," but I couldn't find a video (well, partly because the first several dozen videos were Spanish-speaking parents' recordings of their babies' first Christmases, of course). It does seem to fit with the music, though I have to really try hard to make "Hoy ha nacido el Rey de Israel" (11 syllables) fit into "Born is the King of Israel" (8).
La primera Navidad
La primera Navidad un coro se oyó;
a humildes pastores el cielo cantó,
y un ángel les habló rodeado de luz,
anunciando la Natividad de Jesús.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.
Hoy ha nacido el Rey de Israel.
La estrella de Belén a los magos guió;
en la noche silente en Judea brilló.
El pesebre encontraron siguiendo la luz
y le dieron presentes al niño Jesús.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.
Hoy ha nacido el Rey de Israel.