god rest ye merry gentlemen lyrics verses

Why has this particular Christmas carol stuck with us for so long? I think it’s because of the hope in the lyrics and the beauty and simplicity in the tune. *Fun fact: Charles Dickens quotes this song in his book A Christmas Carol!

To save us all from Satans power, When we were gone astray, Oh tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, Oh tidings of comfort and joy. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.Īll other doth deface (outshine). Verse 1 God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satans power When we were gone astray Glad tidings of. God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Saviour, Was born on Christmas day. O tidings of comfort and joy, For Jesus Christ, our Saviour was born on Christmas day. Check out the different versions (note the changes in punctuation and lyric): 1775 Version That being said, the text has been changed a few times over the years. This fits with the rest of the verse – a hopeful cry to stay strong because Jesus Christ has saved mankind. God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satans powr When we. So a modernized translation of the first line could read: “God keep you strong, gentlemen”. Typical of 17th-century language, “rest” in this usage means “to keep or continue” while “merry” means “great, mighty, or strong”. Check out the original words and punctuation for the first verse: Not much is known about God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’s origins. Don’t worry – over time (like 200 years) “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” became a standard in Christmas church music.Įven though “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” was written centuries ago, the first printed version didn’t appear until about 1760. Typically dark, somber, and in Latin, most church-goers disliked their religious songs.īecause the people could not change the way they worshipped at the time, they came up with their own music outside of the church, and this carol became one of the most well-loved of the time. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” was written as a reaction to 15th century church music.

God rest ye merry gentlemen lyrics verses