We know neither the author nor the composer for this traditional British carol. The evidence would suggest that Cornwall may have been its place of origin, perhaps in the 1700s. William Sandys (1792-1874) published it in Carols Ancient and Modern in 1833, but notes within that volume that many of the carols included therein were from Cornwall and had been previously published individually as broadsides for churches and singers. The Cornish Songbook (1929) has the same six stanza structure as our contemporary American version, though the wording is different in many places.

The final stanza is noteworthy for two reasons. First, it recognizes that singing praises isn’t just for angels, but for us, the congregation. Second, it encourages us to sing our theology: Jesus is both creator and redeemer, having made the heavens and earth from nothing, and laying down his life for human salvation.

Although we usually think of this as a “Christmas” song, it moves us well along toward Epiphany. The first stanza briefly mentions the shepherds; but the carol rapidly transitions to talk about the star (stanza 2) and the wise men (stanzas 3, 4, and 5).

1. The first Noel the angel 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.

  Refrain: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the king of Israel.

2. 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

3. 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

4. The 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. Refrain

5. 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

6. 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

A nice rendition by an unnamed church choir, with stanzas 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Generally I find that I don’t like arrangements of carols that are performance-oriented, designed to show off the skills of the musicians. Carols are music for ordinary people to sing. Still, the harmonies and percussion in this Pentatonix version are fun – even though they present only the first two stanzas and the refrain.