Latest edition - December 12, 2024
This pancocojams 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.
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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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
"Sing Noel" ("African Noel") is purported to be a traditional African song or a song that is based on an African traditional African song, Actually, the melody for "Sing Noel" is the same as the tune for "Banuwa Yo" (also known as "Banuwa") which is inaccurately credited to Liberians.
I believe that "Sing Noel" is a contemporary adaptation of the traditional French Christmas carol "Noel Nouvelet" ("Sing We Now Of Christmas") that uses the "Banuwa" tune.
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") and a video example of the song "Banuwa".
I believe that "Sing Noel" is a contemporary adaptation of the traditional French Christmas carol "Noel Nouvelet" ("Sing We Now Of Christmas") that uses the "Banuwa" tune.
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") and a video example of the song "Banuwa".
Also adding to the confusion is another song with the title "Noel" ("African Noel") that was composed by Todd Smith and arranged by Brad Holmes. That Christmas song has words in the Congolese Kituba language. Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/12/noel-by-todd-smith-videos-congolese.html for an example of that song.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/11/seven-video-examples-of-liberian-folk.html fo the pancocojams post entitled "Seven Video Examples Of The Liberian Folk Song "Banuwa" In The United States & In Some Other Countries."
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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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Banuwa
Jonathan Katz, March 23, 2017
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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
****
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!
****
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
****
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!
****
Example #3: Sing Noel-African Noel LRCA Choir
cdg127, Uploaded on Aug 21, 2010
2009 Warrior Choir sing part of African Noel
****
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
****
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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Banuwa
Jonathan Katz, March 23, 2017
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Dr. Andre J. Thomas's arrangement of "Sing Noel (African Noel)" is based on a traditional African song: the Liberian song "Banuwa Yo."
ReplyDeleteHello, 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.
DeleteBest wishes!
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.
DeleteThe 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.
I reprinted the above comment and added it to the 2024 pancocojams post entitled "Seven Video Examples Of The Liberian Folk Song "Banuwa" In The United States & In Some Other Countries" https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/11/seven-video-examples-of-liberian-folk.html
DeleteI still agree with what Jim Moran (and I wrote) about the so-called "Liberian" song "Banuwa". As of December 12, 2024, I still haven't come across any Liberian performances of "Banuwa" or any information about traditional Liberian sources for that song.