The First Noel Lyrics in Large Print: Free Printable PDF
The words of The First Noel are here in large print, one sheet at 18, 24 or 28 point. The carol is traditional English, printed in 1823 and set out again in 1852. They were published before 1930, so they are public domain in the US and free to copy.
| Words by | Traditional English carol, in print by 1823 |
|---|---|
| Text printed | William Sandys, 1852 |
| Music | Traditional English melody; Stainer arrangement 1871 |
| Type size | 18, 24 or 28 pt |
| Paper | US Letter, A4 or 11 x 17 in, white or cream |
The First Noel in large print: words and download
The First Noel
THE first nowell the angel did say
Was to three poor shepherds in the fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
In a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
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.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
And by the light of that same star,
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
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.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered in then for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then enter'd in those wise men three,
Most reverently upon their knee,
And offer'd there, in His presence,
Both gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
Between an ox-stall and an ass,
This child truly there born He was;
For want of clothing they did Him lay
All in the manger, among the hay.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all, with one accord,
Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
Words: Traditional English carol, in print by 1823; text as printed by William Sandys (1852). Music: Traditional English melody, harmonized by John Stainer (1871). Public domain in the United States: words in print by 1823 (US, published 1929 or earlier).
The words above are set the way this site sets every song: left aligned, one column, plain type with no italics, and a blank line between stanzas. The sheet has 8 stanzas and 48 lines. The First Noel is one of the songs in our large print Christmas carols collection, where you can print it with others in one PDF, and the whole set of texts is listed on the large print prayers and hymns page.
Who wrote The First Noel and when?
Wikipedia describes the carol as traditional English with Cornish origins, most likely from the early modern period. Its present form was first published in William Sandys' Carols Ancient and Modern in 1823 and again in 1833. Our text follows the version Sandys printed in 1852 in Christmastide: Its History, Festivities, and Carols.
Noel, or Nowell, is an old English form of the word Christmas, from the French for the season. The tune is unusual among English folk melodies because it repeats one phrase and then varies it for the refrain. The four-part arrangement heard today is by John Stainer, published in 1871.
When is The First Noel sung?
It is sung from Advent through Epiphany, and it suits a group, since the refrain comes round after every verse and brings everyone in. If you are planning a folder of songs for the same occasion, the sheets for We Three Kings, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen and Away in a Manger use the same layout, so they sit well together.
How do you print The First Noel for a service, a sing-along or a care-home visit?
In our layout tests on US Letter paper, The First Noel takes 3 pages at 18 point, 4 at 24 point and 5 at 28 point. On 11 x 17 paper at 24 point it takes 2 pages. Eighteen point is the smallest size we offer, because the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) says print below 18 point is not large print, and our page on what large print is explains the reasons for 18, 24 and 28 point.
Count copies before you print. A service needs one for every seat and about five extra; a sing-along needs one for each person so nobody has to lean over a neighbor; a care-home visit needs one for every resident and one for each helper. Choose cream paper with a matte finish, since glossy stock glares under ceiling lights. Sandys prints the refrain once, so our sheet repeats it under each verse, which makes eight stanzas and forty-eight lines. A stapled set or a ring binder suits it better than loose pages.