[COMPLETE] "The First Nowell" - Christmas Carol Collection 2019

Solo or group recordings that are finished and fully available for listeners
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Twinkle88
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Post by Twinkle88 »

"The First Nowell" Group Song
Arranged by John Stainer

This project is now complete! The audio is included in song #5 "The First Nowell," in the Multilingual Christmas Carol Collection 2019 catalog page: https://librivox.org/multilingual-christmas-carol-collection-2019-by-various/

Let's join our voices in LibriVox's Christmas choir! The goal is to get as many audio files as possible!
You don't have to be a professional singer to participate -- all voices welcome!

This song will be included in LibriVox's 2019 Christmas Carol Collection.

Deadline: December 18, 2019, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Instructions:
For everyone’s timing to be as similar as possible, when you are recording the song,
please wear headphones/earbuds and listen to the audio file linked below, and sing along with it.


"The First Nowell" Sing-Along Audio: https://librivox.org/uploads/dlolso21/thefirstnowell_singalong.mp3
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.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

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.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

And by the light o-of tha-at 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.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

This Star drew nigh to the No-o-orth-West,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there, in His Pre-e-e-sence,
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord,
Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,
That hath made Heaven and earth of naught,
And with His Blood mankind hath bought:

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the King of Israel.
*Hyphens included in some (not all) of the words with extra syllables in the song.
For those who prefer to view sheet music, it may be found HERE.


  • Set your recording software to:
    Channels: 1 (Mono)
    Bit Rate: 128 kbps
    Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz

    Please remember to check this thread frequently for updates!
  • AFTER recording:
    Save files as 128 kbps MP3
    firstnowell_[your forum name].mp3 (all lower-case) (e.g. firstnowell_twinkle88.mp3)
  • Transfer of files (completed recordings):
    Please always post in this forum thread when you've sent a file.

    Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: https://librivox.org/login/uploader
    Image
    (If you have trouble reading the image above, please message an admin)
    You'll need to select the MC, which for this project is: dlolso21
    When your upload is complete, you will receive a link - please post it in this thread.
    If this doesn't work, or you have questions, please check our How To Send Your Recording wiki page.
  • Any questions?
    Please post below.
Last edited by Twinkle88 on December 21st, 2019, 10:03 am, edited 13 times in total.
Twinkle88
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Post by Twinkle88 »

I admit I lowered the pitch of the song a bit. Let me know (--early on, preferably--) if anyone thinks it would be easier to sing at a little higher/lower pitch. It's still a little high for me, but I didn't want to make it too low for the male voices, either.
commonsparrow3
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Location: Rochester, NY

Post by commonsparrow3 »

Thanks for launching another wonderful choral carol, Twinkle! I tried out your sing-along recording, and the pitch is fine by me, neither too high nor too low. It'll be a while before I get around to sending in my contribution, but you can count me in!
JayKitty76
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Post by JayKitty76 »

I'm all up for this!

Thanks for inviting me again, Twinkle! The singalong is the perfect key, I can go pretty high (I'm a soprano) but my only concern was that it might be in a tricky key where it was both too low and too high. Not so! It's perfect, thank you! I'm looking forward to recording hopefully soon! :D
~ 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚜 ~
Twinkle88
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Post by Twinkle88 »

Phew! Glad to hear the pitch works for both of you. Looking forward to hearing your recordings! :)
brianna
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Post by brianna »

Thank you, thank you!!! :clap:
Men work together,whether they work together or apart. (R.Frost)
Twinkle88
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Post by Twinkle88 »

Thank you for your interest! :) (Even this early! :lol: )
firecircle
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Post by firecircle »

I am a witch coul you be more insulting?
GlassMask
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Post by GlassMask »

Well, as long as you don't mind some guy who has recorded quite a few freethought books for LibriVox on a holiday recording, I'm in! I'll give it a go in the next week, hopefully...

that darn ted
"To those who accept their fate, happiness. To those who defy their fate, glory."
KAP
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Post by KAP »

Thanks for inviting me! I sang this during neighborhood Christmas Carolling last year. Will try to see if I can manage the recording. :clap:
rieyrules
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Post by rieyrules »

Thanks for inviting me to join! I'm definitely in. This is one of my (many!) Christmas favorites.

Laura
Twinkle88
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Post by Twinkle88 »

GlassMask wrote: August 2nd, 2019, 1:43 pm Well, as long as you don't mind some guy who has recorded quite a few freethought books for LibriVox on a holiday recording, I'm in! I'll give it a go in the next week, hopefully...

that darn ted
That would be awesome! Thank you! :)
Twinkle88
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Post by Twinkle88 »

KAP wrote: August 2nd, 2019, 1:48 pm Thanks for inviting me! I sang this during neighborhood Christmas Carolling last year. Will try to see if I can manage the recording. :clap:
Wonderful! Thank you for your interest! :)
Twinkle88
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Post by Twinkle88 »

rieyrules wrote: August 2nd, 2019, 2:54 pm Thanks for inviting me to join! I'm definitely in. This is one of my (many!) Christmas favorites.

Laura
That's great! :) Thank you for your interest.
opheliad
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Post by opheliad »

I would love to be part of this! I'll try to do some parts. Thank you for lowering the pitch! Hopefully someone will do the descant.
Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
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