Gather Comprehensive ‎#366

366. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

1 God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray;

Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

2 In Bethlehem in Judah
This blessed babe was born,
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn:
For which his mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn. (Refrain)

3 From God our great Creator
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. (Refrain)

4 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 blessed babe to find. (Refrain)

5 Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and charity
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All others shall replace. (Refrain)

Text Information

• First Line: God rest you merry, gentlemen
• Title: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
• Refrain First Line: O tidings of comfort and joy
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 8 6 with refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1994
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:6-18
• Source: English carol, 18th C.

Tune Information

• Name: GOD REST YOU MERRY
• Harmonizer: John Stainer, 1840-1901
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 8 6 with refrain
• Key: d minor
• Source: English 18th C.