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The First Nowell - Paul Halley
 Hymn Arrangement - Publication Details
 

  
  Catalogue Number - PEL5021

Voicing/Instrumentation -
SATB Choir and Organ
Optional brass quintet & timpani

Level of Difficulty - Moderate

Uses/Season - Christmas Concert, Hymn/Anthem

 Duration - 4:30 mins

Pages Music - 8 pages
12 page booklet		 Format - SATB/organ choral octavo

Copyright Year - 2005

 Perusal Score PDF
SATB - pgs 1,2&8 of 8

 Perusal Score PDF
Full Score pgs 1,2&12 of 12
  
 
Description/Remarks

 The traditional and familiar English carol is set in a lush new arrangement for choir and organ with optional congregational participation. (v.1 harmonization by John Stainer.) The harmonies are rapturous! Brass accompaniment is an option that makes for a truly festive Christmas presentation. 

__________________________________________________

 "What earns it a place in the Pantheon, though, are the descants Halley wrote for four carols, in particular the one for “The First Nowell”, which soars above not just the last chorus but the entire last stanza, fresh, audacious, and thrilling, lifting the familiar carol into realms of glory (to borrow a phrase from another carol).”  - Michael Alan Fox

Recording
 What Child Is This? CD
PEL1005 - Track 2


PEL1005 CD $12.98
 

 

  
 
Order No.
 		 Item Description Price Buy Score
PEL5021 SATB PDF
Download		 Choral score SATB/organ
Digital download (PDF) with license for 24 reprints.
Please order multiple bundles if you require more than 24 reprints.		 $30.00
license
per 24 reprints		 Add to cart:
SATB Choral PDF
Digital download
NO DEALERS, PLEASE.
 
PEL5021 FS/IP PDF
Download		 Full Score and Instrumental Parts:
Brass Quintet and timpani
 Digital Download (PDF)
with Licensed Terms of Use.

NOTE: THIS ITEM ONLY AVAILABLE WITH MINIMUM PURCHASE OF ONE LICENSED DOWNLOAD FOR 24 CHORAL SCORES OF THIS TITLE.		 $35.00
Digital Download (PDF) with Licensed Terms of Use
 		 Add to cart:
Full Score and Parts
 Requires 24 choral scores minimum.
Digital download
NO DEALERS, PLEASE.
       
 
         
  Text
The First Nowell
trad. English (Sandys, 1833)

The first Nowell the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields as 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 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.
    
 Refrain   
 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.
                                                               
Refrain                                               

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Refrain
                                               
Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in His presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
                                                               
Refrain                                               

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavn'ly Lord;
That hath made heav'n and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind hath bought. 
                                                              
Refrain