god rest ye merry gentlemen lyrics meaning

Unlike “The First Noel,” this carol features only the adoration of the shepherds in Luke 2 and not the appearance of the Magi in Matthew’s account. Though its roots are somewhat ambiguous, it seems to have been well known by the time Charles Dickens published his famous A Christmas Carol (1843) when Ebenezer Scrooge heard it being sung outside the door of his office on Christmas Eve, he “seized the ruler with such energy of action, that the singer fled in terror” (Watson, Canterbury, n.p.).Įminent British hymnologist Erik Routley (1939-1982) classifies this song and “The First Noel” as “ballad-carol.” Rather than the standard hymn meters – Short (6686), Common (8686), and Long (8888) – “God Rest You merry” employs longer three-line stanzas and a refrain associated with many folk ballads (Routley, 1958, p. While selected Protestant hymnals carry the hymn, its apparent English ethnicity conveyed by its language, melody, and possible social use require adaptations to make it appropriate for liturgy. It is much more likely to be found in Episcopal and Anglican hymnals in the USA, Great Britain, Canada, and Australia, as well as a number of Catholic collections. Indeed, “God rest you merry gentlemen” does not appear in earlier Methodist hymnals. This is a somewhat curious entry in a United Methodist hymnal supplement. To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music – WoC 2013 ( rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,įor Jesus Christ our Savior was born upon this day,.Joy to the World – Christmas & Carols ().Victorians – O Tidings Of Comfort And Joy ().O tidings of comfort and joy Now to the Lord sing praises, O tidings of comfort and joy And when they came to Bethlehem

O tidings of comfort and joy The shepherds at those tidings O tidings of comfort and joy “Fear not then,” said the Angel, O tidings of comfort and joy From God our Heavenly Father “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” God rest ye merry, gentlemen * Information concerning God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” came from the site: Christmas Carols. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen continues to be enjoyed. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season.

The lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown.

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. Either way, it certainly isn’t new today. At that time, it was said to be a “new” Christmas Carol. While the information given below will say that it dates back to the 15th century, according to Wikipedia, earliest known publication of the carol was on a 1760 broadsheet. Romans 5:8 This song is said to be one of the oldest carols. He is Christ the Lord! 12And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” … God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you.

God rest ye merry gentlemen lyrics meaning