The First Noël "The First Noël" (also written "The First Noel" and "The First Nowell") is a traditional classical English Christmas carol, most likely from the early modern period. In its current form, it is of Cornish origin, and it was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833). This arrangement is notable for the range in the first trombone part, with a top note of G5 required.