The Acappella Company - The First Noel Lyrics
Lyrics
The first No?l, the angels 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
Chorus:
No?l, No?l, No?l, No?l
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
Repeat Chorus
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay
Repeat Chorus (x3)
Video
Acappella - The First Noel
Meaning & Inspiration
"The First Noel" by The Acappella Company, released on October 8, 2009, offers a profound and moving sonic interpretation of the foundational narrative of Christian faith. This rendition, stripped down to its acappella essence, compels listeners to focus squarely on the timeless message of Christ’s birth. The story, as told in the lyrics, begins not in palaces or grand settings, but with humble shepherds, "certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay," tending their flocks on a "cold winter's night that was so deep." This imagery immediately evokes the humble origins of Jesus, a deliberate choice that underscores the radical nature of God’s incarnation. The angels’ announcement to these unassuming individuals, as found in Luke 2:8-12, highlights that the Good News was first proclaimed not to the powerful or learned, but to those on the fringes, demonstrating God’s preferential love for the marginalized. The resounding "Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël, Born is the King of Israel!" serves as a powerful refrain, a declaration of the promised Messiah’s arrival, echoing the prophecies of old.
The song then masterfully weaves in the visual element of the star, a celestial beacon that guided the wise men. This is powerfully depicted as "shining in the East beyond them far" and providing "great light" both day and night, before guiding them directly "o'er Bethlehem it took its rest." This celestial sign aligns with the Gospel accounts, particularly Matthew 2:1-2, which speaks of a star that announced the birth of the King of the Jews. The star’s unwavering presence, stopping precisely "Right o'er the place where Jesus lay," is a testament to God's divine orchestration, a visible sign to the world that something miraculous had transpired. The acappella arrangement, by emphasizing the vocal delivery, allows the purity of the narrative to shine through. Without instrumental accompaniment, the human voices become instruments of divine proclamation, carrying the weight of the story with a raw and inspiring honesty. This rendition of "The First Noel" serves as a potent reminder that the birth of Jesus was a world-changing event, announced to the humble, illuminated by divine signs, and ultimately heralding the arrival of the King who would bring salvation to all of Israel and beyond.