The First Nowell

The first nowell, the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep In a cold winter's night that was so deep 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 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 Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell Born is the King of Israel This star drew night 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 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 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 Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell Born is the King of Israel