Until recent years, I had only heard this carol as the intro to each side of the Harry Simeone Chorale's Little Drummer Boy LP.
Sing We Now of Christmas
- Thread starter Ekklesian
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"Noël Nouvelet" is a traditional French Christmas and New Year's carol. The song was long ago translated into English as "Sing We Now of Christmas,"
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This traditional French carol dates from the late 15th century and the early 16th century. The word nouvelet has the same root as Noël, both stemming from the word for news and newness.
Some sources say it was a New Year's song. But others point out that the lyrics all speak of the news of the birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem, the announcement by angels to the shepherds in the fields, looking forward to the visit of the Three Kings and the presentation of their gifts to the Holy Family. Everything points to a Christmas carol rather than celebrating the New Year.
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This carol celebrates all of the figures in the crèche, the handmade nativity scenes found throughout France, where they are part of the Christmas celebration in homes and in town squares. This song would be sung by families at home and at community gatherings rather than as part of the liturgy in Roman Catholic churches at the time it was written.
There are many versions found from those early centuries.
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