The First Noel is an English carol with an anonymous author. In this lesson, we cover the guitar chords, sheet music with tabs, and a fingerstyle arrangement for this song. Grab your guitar and let’s get started!

How to read the guitar chord charts

To clarify how to read the chord charts in the next section, the top horizontal line represents the high E string and the bottom horizontal line represents the low E string. The vertical lines separate each fret. The numbers in the blue dots tell you which fingers to use on the fretting hand.

For example, on the G Major chord, you use the:

2nd finger on the 6th string, 3rd fret
1st finger on the 5th string, 2nd fret
3rd finger on the 2nd string, 3rd fret
4th finger on the 1st string, 3rd fret
Circles represent open strings
On some other chords, X means to avoid the string

You can check this link for more on how to read guitar notation symbols.

The First Noel chords in G Major

The guitar chords for the sheet music in the next section are G Major, G/B, C Major, G/D, D 7, E minor, and A minor 7. You can click on the chords with links to learn different ways of playing that chord.

Try the following chords one at a time until you feel comfortable switching between them. These chords will be written above the melody in the next section.

You can refer to this simple guide to understanding music symbols if needed.

Here are some other resources on chords:

The First Noel guitar tabs and chords

For the sheet music below, keep in mind that the chords and melody are meant to be played as separate parts. We’ll look at how to connect these parts later in the arrangement section of this lesson.

You can refer to this simple guide to understanding music symbols if needed.

By the way you can get all the PDFs of this song below.

The First Noel – Get the PDFs

The First Noel fingerstyle guitar tab

In this section, we are essentially connecting the melody and chords together using a finger picking method of playing. If needed, check out this lesson to learn how to finger pick on guitar.

The numbers next to some notes on the top staff indicate which fingers to use on the fretting hand.

The First Noel – Get the PDFs

The First Noel guitar arrangement guitar tabs

If you like this style of playing, you can check out this lesson to learn how to connect a melody and chords on guitar.

The First Noel lyrics

Verse 1:
The first Nowell the angel did say
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.

Chorus:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.

Verse 2:
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]

Verse 3:
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]

Verse 4:
This star drew nigh to the northwest;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]

Verse 5:
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. [Refrain]

Verse 6:
Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood our life hath bought. [Refrain]

Reference: The First Nowel the Angel Did Say. hymnary.org

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