For her contribution to Carols Covered—Apple Music’s collection of Christmas standards updated by contemporary artists—gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard chose “The First Noel,” a song with a message she feels particularly close to, and one that transports her to a childhood filled with family-centric holiday gatherings. “The traditional version of ‘The First Noel,’ it kind of strikes a nerve with everybody,” Cobbs Leonard says. “Because it takes you back to your childhood, celebrating Christmas holidays with your family and with your loved ones. The melody is absolutely incredible and it tells the story of the nativity. It's a song that we've sang forever throughout our childhood and it reminds you of the reason we celebrate the holiday.”
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