64. God rest you merry, gentlemen

1 God rest you merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay!
for Jesus Christ our Saviour
was born on Christmas Day,
to save us all from Satan's power
when we had gone astray:

Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy!

2 From God our heavenly Father
a holy angel came;
the shepherds saw the glory
and heard the voice proclaim
that Christ was born in Bethlehem —
and Jesus is his name: [Refrain]

3 'Fear not,' then said the angel,
'let nothing cause you fright;
to you is born a Saviour
in David's town tonight,
to free all those who trust in him
from Satan's power and might:' [Refrain]

4 The shepherds at these tidings
rejoiced in heart and mind,
and on the darkened hillside
they left their flocks behind,
and went to Bethlehem straightway
this holy Child to find: [Refrain]

5 And when to Bethlehem they came,
where Christ the infant lay,
they found him in a manger
where oxen fed on hay;
and there beside her new-born child
his mother knelt to pray: [Refrain]

6 Now to the Lord sing praises,
all people in this place;
with Christian love and fellowship
each other now embrace,
and let this Christmas festival
all bitterness displace: [Refrain]

Text Information
First Line: God rest you merry, gentlemen
Refrain First Line: O tidings of comfort and joy
Meter: Irregular
Language: English
Publication Date: 2013
Scripture: ;
Topic: Children and All-Age Worship; Christmas; Church Year: Christmas (4 more...)
Source: Traditional, possibly 18th-century adapted by Jubilate Hymns
Tune Information
Name: GOD REST YOU MERRY
Arranger: John Stainer (1840-1901)
Arranger (last verse): Christopher Robinson (b. 1936)
Meter: Irregular
Key: e minor
Source: English Traditional Melody; From Christmas Carols New and Old 1871
Copyright: Adaptation: Last verse © Christopher Robinson; © in this version The Jubilate Group. Administered by The Jubilate Group, Kitley House, St Katherines Road, Torquay TQ1 4DE Used by permission.



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