Hymn of the Week: January 2
by William "Pat" Partridge, Canon Precentor Organist and Choirmaster
Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
January 2, 2022
The First Noel: Hymn 109
This much-loved and widely used carol can be identified as being truly folk in its origin. Davies Gilbert was the first to publish this carol, in nine stanzas in the second edition of Some Ancient Christmas Carols (London, 1823).
The usual derivation of "Nowell" is from the old French Nouel, modern French Noel, from Latin natlis, meaning "belonging to a birth." That it was a cry of joy to celebrate the birth of Christ is clear from Chaucer's Franklin's Tale: And "Nowell" cryeth every lusty man. Though popular at Christmas, it is better thought of as an Epiphany carol. In its full version it would be a useful procession.
The first time that the text and tune of this very popular carol appeared together was in William Sandys's Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern (London, 1833). The date of publication suggests that the tune existed in the eighteenth century, but there is nothing to indicate its real age. Few people need the musical notation in order to sing this much beloved tune, and the melody stays with you far beyond Christmas.
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