Select a Christmas Carol

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest you 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.

(chorus)
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 tiding of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name. 
(chorus) 

"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."
(chorus)

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
Doth bring redeeming grace. 
(chorus)  

This song was first published in 1833. The lyrics are traditional olde English and are said to date back to the 15th century. The author is unknown. It is also said that this carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen for extra money for Christmas.