Welcome back to Country Music 4Ever! Today, I am going to continue my Christmas history series with a classic that originated in Cornwall, a country in southwest England, around the 13th or 14th century. That song is “The First Noel.”

One of the earliest forms of theater was called “Miracle Plays.” These plays would portray popular Bible stories, and Jesus’ birth was one of the most popular ones.

“The First Noel” is thought to have originated from a “miracle play.” It is unknown if it was written for a play or just inspired by one, but the song took on a life of its own.

Citizens of Cornwall would sing “The First Noel” in the streets outside of churches to bring joy to people walking by.

The song was first transcribed in 1823 and was published in a collection of carols called “Some Ancient Christmas Carols.” This publication gave “The First Noel” a new life and inspired Davies Gilbert and William Sandys to construct a new arrangement and add new lyrics to the song. These men are credited for bringing the song into the modern era. Their work with the song made it more alive than ever before.

“The First Noel” has been recorded over a thousand times, including many versions by country artists such as Randy Travis, Gabby Barrett, and Josh Turner.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back soon!