The First Noel

For the choral work by Ralph Vaughan Williams, see The First Nowell (Vaughan Williams).

"The First Nowell" in Carols, New and Old (1879)[1]

"The First Nowell",[1] modernised as "The First Noel"[2] (or Noël)", is a traditional English Christmas carol with Cornish origins most likely from the early modern period, although possibly earlier.[3] It is listed as number 682 in the Roud Folk Song Index.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference bramley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference hutchens was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "The First Nowell". Hymns and Carols of Christmas. carol of the 16th or 17th century, but possibly dating from as early as the 13th century. Barrie Jones, ed. (2014). "carol". The Hutchinson Concise Dictionary of Music. Routledge. Christmas carols were common as early as the 15th century. ... Many carols, such as 'God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen' and 'The First Nowell', date from the 16th century or earlier.