William Sandy (1792 – 1874)

William Sandy (1792 – 1874) was born in London, England and educated at Westminster, and was a compiler of carols and plays, but qualified as a Lawyer.

His first carol book, published in 1833, contained an lengthy introduction of 136 pages, followed by three sections of music. Part 1 contained 34 “Ancient Carols and Christmas Songs from the early part of the fifteenth to end of the seventeenth century.” Part 2 contained a selection of 40 carols “still used in the West of England.’ The third part contained six French Provincial carols. In all, he reproduced 80 carols, all without music. He also reproduced 18 tunes on 12 pages of music. In addition, he contained a copy of “The Christmas Play of St George as represented in Cornwall.”

He died in London on February 18, 1874.

• The First Nowell (Nowell, Organ and Brass Descant, 4 Verses)
  The First Nowell : Lyrics The first Nowell, the angels say To Bethlehem’s shepherds as they lay. At midnight watch, when keeping sheep, The winter wild, the light snow deep. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell Born is the King of Israel. The shepherds rose, and saw a star Bright in the East, beyond them far, Its beauty gave them great delight, This star it set now ...