One of the most cherished and classic Christmas carols of all time, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, is considered to be a shining example of the songs sung at the holiday season. It is one of the oldest Christmas carols recorded and has been sung by Christians for centuries in praise of God and the holiday season.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is thought to be at least 700 years old and was a way to teach the masses about the Christian sentiments during the holiday season for a public that would have been illiterate. The song itself would have been used as a teaching tool and way to spread the word of God during the holiday season and beyond.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen was one of the most popular carols early on in the Christmas seasons. Although it was published in Britain in 1833, the song had been enjoyed for centuries earlier. The first publication for the Christmas carol appeared in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, which was a collection of favored Christmas carols by William B. Sandys. The author of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is unknown and is often cited as simply being a classic Christmas tune.
Many scholars believe that this carol was written as a direct reaction to the staid music of the fifteenth century church as a way to celebrate the Christmas season in an enthusiastic and cheerful way.
The lyrics are thought to date back to the 15th century and were written in Early Modern English, giving the carol its classic and ancient feeling.
Many of the words had different meanings than they do today. For example, “rest” then meant “keep” while the word “merry” would have indicated a strong or mighty individual. When placed in this context, the title of the song changes from God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen to the more modern translation of “may God keep you gentlemen strong.”
Many scholars believe that the song was often sung by the town watchmen to the general public as a way to earn extra money during the holiday season. However, the sensibility that God was there to keep men strong and protected with His word and message during the holiday season would have been a popular and widely encouraged belief. It’s not difficult to see why this carol was frequently sung at Christmas and why it continues to be so popular today with its classic message and tune.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Published by William B. Sandys in 1833
Author is unknown
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
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 Saviour
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
Here is a very easy way to learn to play God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with instrumental guitar arrangements.
The Celebration of God and His Message
Thanks to the fact that it was not formally published until centuries after its popularity had been well established, there are a wide variation on themes and verses for the carol. However, at its heart, the celebration of God and his message are at the theme. In addition, the classic popularity of the tune and its lyrics encourage it to be sung each holiday season with great joy and enthusiasm.