God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
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"God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" is a traditional Christmas hymn and one of the oldest Christmas carols.
History
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was first published in 1833 when it appeared in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics are reputed to date back to the 15th century, and are written in Early Modern English. The author is unknown. The words of the song had different meanings in the time of its writing than in contemporary use; rest meant "keep," while merry meant "mighty" or "strong"—thus, the title in modern English means "May God keep you gentlemen strong." It is believed that the song was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season.Lyrics
- God rest ye merry gentlemen
- Let nothing you dismay
- Remember Christ our Savior
- Was born on Christmas Day
- To save us all from Satan's power
- When we were gone astray
- O tidings of comfort and joy,
- Comfort and joy
- O tidings of comfort and joy
- In Bethlehem, in Israel,
- This blessed Babe was born
- And laid within a manger
- Upon this blessed morn
- The which His Mother Mary
- Did nothing take in scorn
- O tidings of comfort and joy,
- Comfort and joy
- O tidings of comfort and joy
- From God our Heavenly Father
- A blessed Angel came;
- And unto certain Shepherds
- Brought tidings of the same:
- How that in Bethlehem was born
- The Son of God by Name.
- O tidings of comfort and joy,
- Comfort and joy
- O tidings of comfort and joy
- "Fear not then," said the Angel,
- "Let nothing you affright,
- This day is born a Savior
- Of a pure Virgin bright,
- To free all those who trust in Him
- From Satan's power and might."
- O tidings of comfort and joy,
- Comfort and joy
- O tidings of comfort and joy
- The shepherds at those tidings
- Rejoiced much in mind,
- And left their flocks a-feeding
- In tempest, storm and wind:
- And went to Bethlehem straightway
- The Son of God to find.
- O tidings of comfort and joy,
- Comfort and joy
- O tidings of comfort and joy
- And when they came to Bethlehem
- Where our dear Saviour lay,
- They found Him in a manger,
- Where oxen feed on hay;
- His Mother Mary kneeling down,
- Unto the Lord did pray.
- O tidings of comfort and joy,
- Comfort and joy
- O tidings of comfort and joy
- Now to the Lord sing praises,
- All you within this place,
- And with true love and brotherhood
- Each other now embrace;
- This holy tide of Christmas
- All other doth deface.
- O tidings of comfort and joy,
- Comfort and joy
- O tidings of comfort and joy
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