The First Noel chords
Boney MSong Key: C Major
Time Signature: 3/4
Tempo: 90 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner 🟢
Chords: C, Dm, F, G, G7, Am
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The First Noel
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Am G7 F C F Dm C G7 C
Intro: 3/4 ‖ 1 2 3 | 1 2 3 | 1 2 3 | ‖
C G F C
1. The first No-el The ang-els did say
F C G7 C
Was to cer-tain poor sheph-erds in fields as they lay
C G7 F C
In fields where they Lay keep-ing their sheep
F C G7 C
On a cold win-ter's night that was so deep
C G F C
Refrain: No-el No-el No-el No-el
Am C G7 C
Born is the King of Is-ra-el
Am G7 F C F Dm C G7 C
‖ | | / | ‖
C G F C
2. They look-ed up And saw a star
F C G7 C
Shin-ing in the east be-yond them far
C G7 F C
And to the earth It gave great light
F C G7 C
And so it con-tin-ued both day and night
C G F C
Refrain: No-el No-el No-el No-el
Am C G7 C
Born is the King of Is-ra-el
Am G7 F C F Dm C G7 C
‖ | | / | ‖
C G F C
3. The first No-el The ang-els did say
F C G7 C
Was to cer-tain poor sheph-erds in fields as they lay
C G7 F C
In fields where they Lay keep-ing their sheep
F C G7 C
On a cold win-ter's night that was so deep
C G F C
Refrain: No-el No-el No-el No-el
Am C G7 C
Born is the King of Is-ra-el
Am G7 F C F Dm C G7 C
Outro: ‖ | | / | % | % | 𝄑 ‖
- Reading the Song Charts - a closer look at reading the song charts on this site
- Chord Transposer - a better understanding of how it works
- Christmas Carols Page - Easier version in D Major
Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: C Major - no sharps or flats
- Time Signature: 3/4 — Three quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately slow
- Metronome: ♩ = 90
- Voice Range: C4 - C5
Beginners:
The chords during the verses and choruses have been kept to a minimum so that beginners can play along. If you want, you can play the 4 bar intro over the second line of each Refrain or Chorus.
The simile mark % means you repeat the previous bar, chord or note, therefore:
G7 | | % | % | Play G7 for 3 bars. C G7 | / | Play C for 2 beats, and G7 for 1 beat.
𝄑 The fermata or pause symbol - In this case, simply strum the chord and hold... let it ring out naturally.
The beat counts have been added in the Intro to help with timing. The chord changes occur on every beat which may seem daunting at first but very easy after some solid practice.
If you are playing solo, you don't have to play the 4 bars of intro at the start of the song and between verses, and you don't have to play the outro... you may just want to end on a C chord. The choice is yours.
Song Details:
- Composer: Traditional Christmas Carol
- Lyricist: Traditional
- Lyrics Begin: The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.
- Genre: Sacred Carol, Traditional Hymn, Christmas Music
- Featured Artists: Boney M
- Album: Christmas with Boney M
Recorded: 1981, 1984
Released: 1984
Re-Released: 16 November, 2007
