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The First Nowell

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
G  C  G  C
[Verse]
The Gfirst Nowell the Cangel did Gsay
Was to Ccertain poor Gshepherds in Emfields as D/F#they Glay
In fields where they lay, Ckeeping their Gsheep
On a Ccold winter's Gnight that Emwas D/F#so   Gdeep
[Chorus]
Nowell, Nowell, NoCwell, NoGwell
CBorn is the Gking of EmIs-D/F#ra---GelC  G  C  
[Verse]
They all Glooked up and Csaw a Gstar
Shining Cin the Geast beEmyond D/F#them Gfar
And to the earth it Cgave great Glight
And Cso it conGtinued both Emday D/F#and  Gnight
[Chorus]
Nowell, Nowell, NoCwell, NoGwell
CBorn is the Gking of EmIs-D/F#ra---GelC  G  C  
[Instrumental]
G  C  G  C  G
C  G    Em D/F# G
G    C  G  C  G  Em D/F# G
G    C  G  C  G  Em D/F# G
G  C  G  C
[Verse]
And Gby the light of Cthat same Gstar
Three Cwise men Gcame from EmcounD/F#try  Gfar
To seek for a king was Ctheir inGtent
And to Cfollow the Gstar wheresoEmever D/F#it   Gwent
[Chorus]
Nowell, Nowell, NoCwell, NoGwell
CBorn is the Gking of EmIs-D/F#ra---GelC  G  C  
[Verse]
The Gstar drew nigh to Cthe north-Gwest
O'er CBethleGhem it Emtook D/F#its  Grest
And there it did both Cstop and Gstay
Right Cover the Gplace where EmJe-D/F#sus  Glay
[Chorus]
Nowell, Nowell, NoCwell, NoGwell
CBorn is the Gking of EmIs-D/F#ra---GelC  G  C  
[Outro]
G  C  G  C  G  C  G  C
G  C  G  C  G  C  G  C

All chords in this song (4)

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The First Nowell

by Steeleye Span

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

[Intro]

G C G C

[Verse]

G C G

The first Nowell the angel did say

C G Em D/F# G

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

C G

In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep

C G Em D/F# G

On a cold winter's night that was so deep

[Chorus]

C G

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell

C G Em D/F# G C G C

Born is the king of Is-ra---el

[Verse]

G C G

They all looked up and saw a star

C G Em D/F# G

Shining in the east beyond them far

C G

And to the earth it gave great light

C G Em D/F# G

And so it continued both day and night

[Chorus]

C G

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell

C G Em D/F# G C G C

Born is the king of Is-ra---el

[Instrumental]

G C G C G

C G Em D/F# G

G C G C G Em D/F# G

G C G C

[Verse]

G C G

And by the light of that same star

C G Em D/F# G

Three wise men came from country far

C G

To seek for a king was their intent

C G Em D/F# G

And to follow the star wheresoever it went

[Chorus]

C G

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell

C G Em D/F# G C G C

Born is the king of Is-ra---el

[Verse]

G C G

The star drew nigh to the north-west

C G Em D/F# G

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest

C G

And there it did both stop and stay

C G Em D/F# G

Right over the place where Je-sus lay

[Chorus]

C G

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell

C G Em D/F# G C G C

Born is the king of Is-ra---el

[Outro]

G C G C G C G C

About The First Nowell Chords by Steeleye Span

Learn how to play The First Nowell by Steeleye Span with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The First Nowell chords”, “The First Nowell guitar chords”, or “Steeleye Span The First Nowell chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The First Nowell chords and for experienced players who want accurate The First Nowell lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Em, D/F#.

FAQ — The First Nowell by Steeleye Span

How do I play "The First Nowell" by Steeleye Span on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The First Nowell" to a different key?

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Is "The First Nowell" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The First Nowell" in?

The chords for "The First Nowell" show the original chord names (including G, C, Em, D/F#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.