<P> The Annunciation to the shepherds and the Adoration of the shepherds are episodes in the Nativity of Jesus described in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2). The Star of Bethlehem appears in the story of the Magi (the Wise Men) in the Gospel of Matthew; it does not appear in the story of the shepherds . </P> <P> In common with many traditional songs and carols the lyrics vary across books . The versions compared below are taken from the New English Hymnal (1986) (which is the version used in Henry Ramsden Bramley and John Stainer's, Carols, New and Old), Ralph Dunstan's gallery version in the Cornish Songbook (1929) and Reverend Charles Lewis Hutchins's version in Carols Old and Carols New (1916). </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> New English Hymnal . </Th> <Th> Cornish Songbook . </Th> <Th> Carols Old and Carols New . </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1 . The first Nowell the angels did say <P> Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep: Refrain Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel . </P> </Td> <Td> 1 . O well, O well, the Angels did say <P> To shepherds there in the fields did lay; Late in the night a-folding their sheep, A winter's night, both cold and bleak . Refrain O well, O well, O well, O well, Born is the King of Israel . </P> </Td> <Td> 1 . The first Noel, the angels say <P> To Bethlehem's shepherds as they lay . At midnight watch, when keeping sheep, The winter wild, the light snow deep . Refrain Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2 . They looked up and saw a star, <P> Shining in the east, beyond them far: And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night: </P> </Td> <Td> 2 . And then there did appear a Star, <P> Whose glory then did shine so far: Unto the earth it gave a great light, And there it continued a day and a night . </P> </Td> <Td> 2 . The shepherds rose, and saw a star <P> Bright in the East, beyond them far, Its beauty gave them great delight, This star it set now day nor night . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 3 . And by the light of that same star, <P> Three Wise Men came from country far; To seek for a King was their intent, And to follow the star whersoever it went: </P> </Td> <Td> 3 . And by the light of that same Star, <P> Three Wise Men came from country far; To seek a King was their intent - They follow'd the Star wherever it went . </P> </Td> <Td> 3 . Now by the light of this bright star <P> Three wise men came from country far; They sought a king, such their intent, The star their guide where'er it went . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 4 . This star drew nigh to the north - west; <P> O'er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay: </P> </Td> <Td> 4 . The Star went before them unto the North West, <P> 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 . </P> </Td> <Td> 4 . Then drawing nigh to the northwest, <P> O'er Bethlehem town it took its rest; The wise men learnt its cause of stay, And found the place where Jesus lay . </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5 . Then entered in those Wise Men three, <P> Full reverently upon their knee, And offered there in his presence, Their gold and myrrh and frankincense: </P> </Td> <Td> 5 . Then enter'd in these Wise Men three, <P> With reverence fall on their knee, And offer'd up in His presence The gifts of gold and frankincense . </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6 . Then let us all with one accord <P> Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of nought, And with his blood mankind hath bought: </P> </Td> <Td> 6 .' Tween an ox manger and an ass, <P> Our Blest Messiah's place it was; To save us all from bond and thrall, He was a Redeemer for us all! </P> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> New English Hymnal . </Th> <Th> Cornish Songbook . </Th> <Th> Carols Old and Carols New . </Th> </Tr>

What are the lyrics to the first noel
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