The first Nowell 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
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel
They lookèd 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
This 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
Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of naught And with his blood mankind hath bought