Circa 1760 (from “Three New Christmas Carols,” Printed and Sold at the Printing-Office on Bow Church-Yard, London):
God rest you merry, Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Savior
Was born upon this Day.
To save poor souls from Satan’s power,
Which long time had gone astray.
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy.
Circa 1780-1800 (from “Three new carols for Christmas,” Wolverhampton, printed by J. Smart):
God rest you merry Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas-day;
To save our souls from Satan’s power,
Which long time had gone astray:
This brings Tidings of Comfort and Joy.
Here is Le’Andria Johnson singing the beautiful song from her Christmas album “Christmas Best”:
Behind The Hymn: God Rest You Merry Gentlemen was originally published on elev8.com
