God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen | Christmas Carol Lyrics

from the MMF Songbook


History for 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen'

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen was first published in Britain in 1833, in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern, a collection of seasonal carols compiled by William B. Sandys.

Fun Facts

Charles Dickens' refers to this tune in his, A Christmas Carol.

"...at the first sound of - "God bless you merry, gentlemen! Let nothing you dismay!" - Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action, that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost."

Lyrics for 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen'

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ our Saviour (or Remember Christ our Saviour)
Was born upon this day (or 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 Jewry, (or "in Israel")
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
To 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
This blessed Babe to find. (or The Son of God to find)
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.

But when to Bethlehem they came (or And when they came to Bethlehem)
Whereat this Infant lay, (or Where our dear Saviour lay)
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling, (or 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 efface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.


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Piano Sheet Music

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen for Easy/Level 3 Piano Solo


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