Why has this particular Christmas carol stuck with us for so long? I think it’s because of the hope in the lyrics and the beauty and simplicity in the tune. 19 However, merry is often misinterpreted as an adjective modifying gentlemen. It appears in Shakespeare 's 1599 play As You Like It. *Fun fact: Charles Dickens quotes this song in his book A Christmas Carol! The historic meaning of the phrase 'God rest you merry' is 'may God grant you peace and happiness' the Oxford English Dictionary records uses of this phrase from 1534 onwards. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.Īll other doth deface (outshine). O tidings of comfort and joy, For Jesus Christ, our Saviour was born on Christmas day. Check out the different versions (note the changes in punctuation and lyric): 1775 Version That being said, the text has been changed a few times over the years. This fits with the rest of the verse – a hopeful cry to stay strong because Jesus Christ has saved mankind. So a modernized translation of the first line could read: “God keep you strong, gentlemen”. SA, SATB, Choir Unison, Duet, Organ, SATB quartet, Vocal Solo, Vocal Solo. Typical of 17th-century language, “rest” in this usage means “to keep or continue” while “merry” means “great, mighty, or strong”. Check out the original words and punctuation for the first verse: Don’t worry – over time (like 200 years) “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” became a standard in Christmas church music.Įven though “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” was written centuries ago, the first printed version didn’t appear until about 1760. Typically dark, somber, and in Latin, most church-goers disliked their religious songs.īecause the people could not change the way they worshipped at the time, they came up with their own music outside of the church, and this carol became one of the most well-loved of the time. WORK IN PROGRESS - COMMENTS APPRECIATED 3UPDATED (12/16) (12/17 x4) (12/18 x2) (12/19) (12/26 x2)Spurred on by my love of non-traditional Christmas tunes, a. If you would like to perform the piece with violin, viola, cello, or bass, visit the string page for God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, which is also is in the key of A. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” was written as a reaction to 15th century church music. The God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Band Play-Along page has more versions of this song, so you can play it with all woodwind and brass instruments.
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