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Monday, December 15, 2014

"Sing Noel" (African Noel) videos & lyrics

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents three videos of the song "Sing Noel" ("African Noel").

Lyrics to two arrangements of "Sing Noel" are found below. In addition, the summary statement to the video given as Example #2 includes information about how to say "Merry Christmas" in various African languages.

Note that "Sing Noel" ("African Noel") shouldn't be confused with the Christmas song entitled "Noel" which is also known as "African Noel" by Todd Smith, Brad Holmes, arranger. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/12/sing-noel-african-noel-videos-lyrics.html for that post.

I'm doubtful if "Sing Noel" ("African Noel") is a traditional African song. I think that it may be a contemporary adaptation of the traditional French Christmas carol "Noel Nouvelet" ("Sing We Now Of Christmas"). For reasons of comparison, the Addendum to this post includes lyrics for and a video example of the traditional French Christmas carol "Noel Nouvelet" ("Sing We Now Of Christmas").

The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer/s and the arrangers of this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks also to the singers and musicians who are featured in the videos. And thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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LYRICS: SING NOEL (AFRICAN NOEL), Version #1
Andre J. Thomas, arranger

Chorus:
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel (4X)
Sing we all Noel! (2X)
O sing! (Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel) (2X)

Oh come ye people. Gather near
to hear the news of good cheer.
About the King of Kings, the Lamb of God
Who is born this day in Bethleham.
Sing Noel!

Chorus

Source: various videos

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LYRICS: SING NOEL (AFRICAN NOEL), Version #2

Chorus:
Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel (4X)
Sing we all Noel! (2X)
O sing! (Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel) (2X)

Jesus, King of Israel,
God with us Emmanuel,
The Prince of Peace, Almighty God
Is born today in Bethlehem!

[Repeat from the beginning]

Source: My transcription from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiqNQzWEa9k [video with words imposed on the screen.]
-snip-
I'm interested in learning more about "Sing Noel" ("African Noel"). For instance, when was it first sung and is it an adaptation of the French carol "SIng We Now Of Christmas'? If you know information about this song, please share it in the comment section below. Thanks!

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FEATURED VIDEOS

Example #1: Choir African Noel




David Hill, Uploaded on Dec 17, 2008

arr. Andre J. Thomas. 2008 Dec 12 Dr. Greg Knauf, director

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Example #2: Sing Noel - African Christmas Song (HD)



NorthPoleChristmas, Uploaded on Jul 30, 2009

"Sing Noël" by The Marionettes Chorale & The Marionettes Youth Chorale
♫ Santa dedicates this to the many different cultural traditions of Christmas. He wishes you all a Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas. (This is part of a series of videos that inform children about Christmas traditions and cultural differences in the way this holiday is celebrated around the world.) No copy infraction intended on my videos. Thanks for watching!

People celebrate Christmas in diverse ways throughout different parts of the world. If you know of a Christmas song, that is specific to your country, please share it with us where Elf Lollipop Leroux can create a video for everyone to enjoy. Take care and Merry Christmas!


How to Say Merry Christmas:

In Akan (Ghana):
Afishapa

In Zimbabwe:
Merry Kisimusi

In Afrikaans (South Africa):
Geseënde Kersfees

In Zulu (South Africa):
Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle

In Swazi (Swaziland):
Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle

In Sotho (Lesthoto):
Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse

In Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya):
Kuwa na Krismasi njema

In Amharic (Ethiopia):
Melkam Yelidet Beaal

In Yoruba (Nigeria):
E ku odun, e hu iye' dun!

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Example #3: Sing Noel-African Noel LRCA Choir



cdg127, Uploaded on Aug 21, 2010

2009 Warrior Choir sing part of African Noel

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ADDENDUM: SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS (French carol)

Sing We All Noel with Lyrics - French Christmas Carol ( Noel Nouvelet fr )




bobf72450, Published on Dec 15, 2013

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LYRICS: SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS

Version 2

Words: Noel Nouvelet, Traditional French, 15th Century
English Traditional Carol, 17-18th Century
Translator Unknown

Tune: Noel Nouvelet, French Traditional, 15th Century.

1. Sing we now of Christmas,
Noel sing we here.
Hear our grateful praises
To the Babe so dear.

Chorus:
Sing We Noel, the King is Born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

2. Angels called to shepherds,
"Leave your flocks at rest;
Journey forth to Bethl’hem
Find the Lamb-kin blest." Chorus

3. In the stall they found Him;
Joseph and Mary mild
Seated ‘round the manger,
Watching the holy Child. Chorus

4. From the eastern country
Came the kings afar,
Bearing gifts to Bethl’hem,
Guided by a star. Chorus

5. Gold and myrrh they took there,
Gifts of greatest price;
There was ne’er a stable
So like paradise. Chorus

Source: http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/sing_we_now_of_christmas2.htm

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3 comments:

  1. Dr. Andre J. Thomas's arrangement of "Sing Noel (African Noel)" is based on a traditional African song: the Liberian song "Banuwa Yo."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, Anonymous. Thank you very much for your comment. After reading it, I've been watching YouTube examples of this Liberian song and reading comments in their discussion threads. I notice that other people also wrote that "Sing Noel" is based on "Banuwa". I'm glad that you shared this information with me and with others on pancocojams.

      Best wishes!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous, in addition to watching a number of YouTube videos of "Banuwa Yo" and reading comments from the discussion threads for a few that had comments, I happened upon this 2012 article from a blog by Jim Moran entitled "Comparative Video 101" https://compvid101.blogspot.com/2012/09/lost-somewhere-in-translation-banuwa.html.

      The article's title is Lost Somewhere In Translation: "Banuwa" and that title speaks to the opinion that folk musician/writer and folk music radio host Jim Moran has that the song "Banuwa" may have a different meaning than it has been given since it burst on the folklorist scene in the 1950s.

      Jim Moran points out that in 2012 there are no renditions of this song -on YouTube or elsewhere by Liberians or by other West Africans and most of the videos of the song are by White people throughout the world (I'm paraphrasing what he wrote. That's still the case in 2023.

      I've looked and could find no information about which Liberian tradition (which ethnic group in Liberia) does this song come from. Also, which language is this?

      I think that it's not all that surprising that "Sing Noel" is based on "Banuwa Yo" since the African connection that both of these songs have is suspect (to me if not to anyone else.)

      No matter how nice it sounds, I'd rather showcase and sing a traditional African song whose roots can be traced and at the very least, whose language can be identified.

      Delete