There Is No El?

We love to complain of lame modern church music, but surely if there were a reward for the worst lyric in a religious song, it should be won by "The First Noel," traditional and time-honoured as it is.

Besides being trite and repetitious, and grammatically awkward, the words need to be positively tortured to get then to scan.

Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
The First Noel, the Angels 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
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel! 

Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
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 

Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel! 

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Born is the King of Israel!
Noel, Noel

While it is true there is no longer an El in New York City, there still is one in Chicago.
Making thew whole song a lie in any case.'Od's Blog: Catholic and Clear Grit comments on the passing parade.