The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1904

1904. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

1. 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.

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

2. 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. [Refrain]

3. 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. [Refrain]

4. Fear not, then, said the angel,
Let nothing you affright
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. [Refrain]

5. 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. [Refrain]

6. 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. [Refrain]

7. 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. [Refrain]

8. 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.

Text Information

• First Line: God rest ye merry, gentlemen
• Title: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
• Author: Anonymous
• Refrain First Line: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
• Language: English
• Source: Traditional English carol
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [God rest ye merry, gentlemen]
• Composer: Anonymous
• Incipit: 11554 32171 23451
• Key: e minor
• Source: Traditional English carol
• Copyright: Public Domain