The First Nowell

John Stainer (1840–1901) · Romantic

At a glance

Voicing
SATB
Language of the text
English
Genre
Christmas carol
Season
Christmas
Series
Choir
Available voices
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Score
PDMX / MuseScore, Public domain licence

Chapters, Soprano part

  1. Intro
  2. FIRST LISTEN — the whole piece, all voices
  3. RHYTHM READING — the words in rhythm, on one note
  4. SLOW — your part only
  5. FULL TEMPO — your part only
  6. IN PAIRS — your part and Alto
  7. WITH THE CHOIR — your part highlighted
  8. BALANCE CHECK — all voices equal
  9. End screen

Chapters, Alto part

  1. Intro
  2. FIRST LISTEN — the whole piece, all voices
  3. RHYTHM READING — the words in rhythm, on one note
  4. SLOW — your part only
  5. FULL TEMPO — your part only
  6. IN PAIRS — your part and Soprano
  7. WITH THE CHOIR — your part highlighted
  8. BALANCE CHECK — all voices equal
  9. End screen

Chapters, Tenor part

  1. Intro
  2. FIRST LISTEN — the whole piece, all voices
  3. RHYTHM READING — the words in rhythm, on one note
  4. SLOW — your part only
  5. FULL TEMPO — your part only
  6. IN PAIRS — your part and Basso
  7. WITH THE CHOIR — your part highlighted
  8. BALANCE CHECK — all voices equal
  9. End screen

Chapters, Bass part

  1. Intro
  2. FIRST LISTEN — the whole piece, all voices
  3. RHYTHM READING — the words in rhythm, on one note
  4. SLOW — your part only
  5. FULL TEMPO — your part only
  6. IN PAIRS — your part and Tenore
  7. WITH THE CHOIR — your part highlighted
  8. BALANCE CHECK — all voices equal
  9. End screen

Practise with the player

Notes on the piece

A traditional English carol in John Stainer's (1840–1901) arrangement, published in Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). It tells of the shepherds and the Magi.

Written with AI assistance

Text and translations

Original text · English

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.
Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

Source of the text: songsofzion.org

Score

The source and licence of the score are acknowledged; the editions below are for cross-checking.

PDMX / MuseScore · Licence: Public domain

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