The First Noel

The First Noel (pisane też jako The First Noël lub The First Nowell) – tradycyjna angielska kolęda, pochodząca prawdopodobnie z XVIII wieku. Słowo Noel wywodzi się od francuskiego słowa Noël oznaczającego Boże Narodzenie.

Kolęda, która ma kornwalijskie początki, w swojej aktualnej formie została po raz pierwszy opublikowana w 1823 roku w Carols Ancient and Modern, a w 1833 w Gilbert and Sandys Carols. Obie wersje zostały wydane pod redakcją Williama Sandysa oraz Daviesa Gilberta, który napisał również dodatkowe słowa dla Hymns and Carols of God. Obecnie kolędę wykonuje się z czterema zwrotkami, a nie sześcioma jak to było wcześniej. Jej nową aranżację przygotował angielski kompozytor John Stainer i opublikował w Carols, New and Old w 1871 roku.

The First Noel podobnie, jak wiele tradycyjnych piosenek i kolęd, w zależności od wydania pojawiało się z nieco zmienionymi słowami. Trzy różne wersje poniżej pochodzą kolejno z New English Hymnal (1986) , Cornish Songbook (1929) oraz Carols Old and Carols New (1916) .

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: Refren Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

To shepherds there in the fields did lay; Late in the night a-folding their sheep, A winter's night, both cold and bleak. Refren O well, O well, O well, O well, Born is the King of Israel.

To Bethlehem's shepherds as they lay. At midnight watch, when keeping sheep, The winter wild, the light snow deep. Refren Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel.

Shining in the east, beyond them far: And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night:

Whose glory then did shine so far: Unto the earth it gave a great light, And there it continued a day and a night.

Bright in the East, beyond them far, Its beauty gave them great delight, This star it set now day nor night.

Three Wise Men came from country far; To seek for a King was their intent, And to follow the star whersoever it went:

Three Wise Men came from country far; To seek a King was their intent - They follow'd the Star wherever it went.

Three wise men came from country far; They sought a king, such their intent, The star their guide where'er it went.

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay:

And seemed o'er the City of Bethlehem to rest, And there did remain by night and by day, Right over the place where Jesus Christ lay.

O'er Bethlehem town it took its rest; The wise men learnt its cause of stay, And found the place where Jesus lay.

Fell reverently upon their knee, And offered there in his presence, Their gold and myrrh and frankincense:

With reverence fall on their knee, And offer'd up in His presence The gifts of gold and frankincense.

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of nought, And with his blood mankind hath bought:

Our Blest Messiah's place it was; To save us all from bond and thrall, He was a Redeemer for us all!