Hymn History-God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

  • December 8, 2010
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Hymn History God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 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 blessèd Babe was born, And laid within a manger upon this blessèd morn; The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn. From God our heavenly Father a blessèd angel came; And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same; How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name. “Fear not, then,” said the angel, “Let nothing you afright 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.” The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind, And went to Bethl’em straightaway this blessèd Babe to find. But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay, They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray. 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 others doth deface. God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign, And many a merry Christmas may live to see again; Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near— That God send you a happy new year, happy new year, And God send you a happy new year. Traditional English Carol (eighteenth century) First published in 1827 and introduced as an “ancient hymn” even then, this hymn has stood the test of time. History tells us that it was an official Christmas carol the municipal watchmen of London were licensed to sing. The words appear in Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol”, when a caroler is singing the first line and is accosted by an annoyed Ebenezer Scrooge. And the words also appear in many church hymnbooks across the nation. Although the author is unknown this hymn has brought great joy to many a Christmas’s. The song is light and merry and the melody is written in a minor key with common time so it’s not too difficult to sing. Not only does it recount the nativity, but sends us all a ‘happy new year’!


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