"The First Noel" has a rich history, evolving from its origins in Cornish oral tradition in the 15th century to its current form in hymnbooks and popular culture. The carol's current form was first published in the 1823 edition of Some Ancient Christmas Carols and gained further prominence in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833), compiled by William Sandys. The carol originally had nine verses, but five are most commonly used today. It focuses on the story of the shepherds and the wise men