The First Noel

Words and Music: Composer Unknown (English, 1500's)

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Published first in 1833 in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols compiled by William B. Sandys.  Origin unknown but thought to be English, dating back to the sixteenth century.  There is a misconception that the song was French because of the French spelling of "Noel" as opposed to the Old English Anglo-Saxon spelling of the word as "Nowell".  When England was conquered by the Normans, numerous words were adopted from the Norman French language and Noel was then spelled "Nowell'.  Early printed versions of this carol use the Nowell spelling. ____________________________________________________________

Related Pages:

• General:

• Worship Service of The Prayer Foundation Monks ™

• Favorite Psalms

• Book:

• "Well With My Soul: Four Stories of Great Hymn Writers"

• Movies:

• Documentary:

• "Amazing Grace: 5 Hymns that Changed the World"

• Concert:

• "Tennesee Ernie Ford: Amazing Grace" - 22 Hymns

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