Song facts
- Original key
- D major
- Type
- Christmas carol
- Music
- Traditional English (traditional)
- Original lyrics
- Traditional English (traditional)
- First published
- 1833
Public-domain songs · Christmas carol instrumental
The First Noel
Play the The First Noel instrumental in the original key of D major, or from 3 semitones lower to 2 higher. Made by MR Maker from a public-domain score.
Last reviewed:
Backing track by key
The original key is D major. If it sits too high or too low for your voice, try the shifted versions and pick the one you can sing comfortably.
3 semitones lower (B major)
2 semitones lower (C major)
Original key (D major)
2 semitones higher (E major)
About this song
No author is known. The oldest surviving copy is a manuscript transcribed by John Hutchens for Davies Gilbert around 1816–17. Gilbert printed the words in the 1823 edition of Some Ancient Christmas Carols, and William Sandys first printed the melody in 1833. John Stainer's four-part harmonization in Christmas Carols New and Old became the usual setting. Each of the tune's three phrases ends on the third degree of the scale. It is usually printed in D major in triple time.
Rights
The melody is in the public domain (first published 1833). MR Maker made this accompaniment from a public-domain score. It contains no lyrics, translations or third-party recordings.
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