The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
in a cold winter’s night that was so deep:
Noel, Noel [2] 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:
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 wheresoever it went:
Their star drew night to the north-west;
over Bethlehem, it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay:
Then entered in those wise men three,
fell reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
both gold and myrrh and frankincense:
Then let us all, with one accord,
sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
that hath made heaven and earth of naught,
and with blood mankind hath bought: