O well, O well, the Angels did say
To shepherds there in the fields did lay;
Late in the night a-folding their sheep,
A winter's night, both cold and bleak.
O well, O well, O well, O well,
Born is the King of Israel.
And then there did appear a Star,
Whose glory then did shine so far:
Unto the earth it gave a great light,
And there it continued a day and a night.
O well, O well, O well, O well,
Born is the King of Israel.
And by the light of that same Star,
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek a King was their intent –
They follow'd the Star wherever it went.
O well, O well, O well, O well,
Born is the King of Israel.
The Star went before them unto the North West,
And seemed o'er the City of Bethlehem to rest,
And there did remain by night and by day,
Right over the place where Jesus Christ lay.
O well, O well, O well, O well,
Born is the King of Israel.
Then enter'd in these Wise Men three,
With reverence fall on their knee,
And offer'd up in His presence
The gifts of gold and frankincense.
O well, O well, O well, O well,
Born is the King of Israel.
Tween an ox manger and an ass,
Our Blest Messiah's place it was;
To save us all from bond and thrall,
He was a Redeemer for us all!
O well, O well, O well, O well,
Born is the King of Israel.
“The First Noel” is of Cornish origin.
These lyrics were taken from “The Cornish Songbook” published in 1929