The upbeat melody also helped to keep the popularity of the song alive. This may be due to Queen Victoria’s love for carols, which found their way into the Anglican Church and soon spread to America and Europe. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen has been a traditional Christmas carol since the mid-18th Century. Wikipedia says the song is a Roud Folk Song and part of the Roxburghe Collection. “… at the first sound of ‘God bless you, merry gentlemen! May 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.” ![]() GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN Dating probably from the 15th century. The first broadsheet of the song was published around 1760 in London.Ĭharles Dickens referenced the song in his classic A Christmas Carol. Here, we bring you a short history of some of Britain's best-loved christmas carols. While the song is believed to originate back to the 15th Century, evidence is lacking. The writer also fully understood the power of Christ and what His arrival meant to all who embraced it.” He included the high points of the gospel throughout the carol’s verses. Soldiers were told to eat and drink because tomorrow they would conquer hence the term “eat, drink and be merry”.Īce Collins wrote ““ God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’s” lyrics reveal that the song’s unknown writer knew the story of Jesus’ birth well. Think back through history, and how England was known as “Merry old England” at the time this song originated. So, the nightmen were really saying, “God make you mighty, gentlemen.” The word “rest” meant keep or make at this time. In the Middle Ages the word “merry” meant great and mighty. The nightwatchmen are said to sing God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen as they walked the streets of London. The people counteracted this by singing Christmas songs in the streets. The songs were somber and usually written in Latin. In the 15th Century church, songs of joy and happiness were allowed. The song we sing today does not have the same meaning that it did to the English peasants in the 15th Century. Over the centuries, times and meanings have changed. God rest ye merry, gentlemen God rest ye merry, gentlemen God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour 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 From God our heavenly father A blessed angel. ![]() The hymn is one of the oldest known Christmas carols. The song we sing today has a completely different meaning then at the time it originated. ![]() The hymn God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is over 500 years.
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