Hymn

The First Nowel the Angel Did Say

Metre Irregular

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.

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.

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.

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

Full 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.

The First Nowel the Angel Did Say — Text from The Church Hymnal, 1920. Public domain. https://yeshuanow.com/hymns/the-first-nowel-the-angel-did-say

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Questions about this hymn

Is The First Nowel the Angel Did Say public domain?

Yes. The words here are taken from The Church Hymnal, published in 1920. Works published before 1931 are out of copyright in the United States, so you can print, project, perform and record this hymn freely. How we source and check every hymn.