Nowell is an early English spelling of noel, which itself is an even older French word meaning ‘carol.’
This song, though, is thoroughly British and was probably at least 200 years old by the time it was published, but no one knows for sure.
The shepherds did not see the star in the East, as the words would have you believe, but that’s okay; there’s such a charm to this simple song that we can easily forgive the error.
The first Nowell, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields as they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter night that was so deep.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell, born is the king of Israel. And looking up, they saw a great star, high in the East, beyond them far, and to the earth, it gave a great light, shining from Heaven both day and night. Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell, born is the king of Israel.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell
Born is the king of Israel.
And looking up, they saw a great star
High in the East, beyond them far
And to the earth, it gave a great light
Shining from Heaven both day and night.
Traditional English carol
Collected in William Sandys’, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, 1833
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