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Compared to many traditional carols, "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" is a fairly recent addition to the world's library of Christmas songs.

It originally existed in the many versions sung by paid holiday street singers known as "waits." First published in 1827, it was later used by Charles Dickens in "A Christmas Carol."

The good cheer and warm wishes of this carol being sung on the street incites contempt in the crotchety, yet unconverted, Ebenezer Scrooge. This rousing Christmas favorite is lifted by the voices of friends and relatives every year.

"God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" Lyrics

1. God rest ye, merry gentlemen, Let nothing ye dismay.
Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray,
O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O, tidings of comfort and joy.

2. From God our heav'nly 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 ...

3. The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm, and wind;
And went straightway to Bethlehem
The Son of God to find.
O, tidings ...

4. And when they came to Bethlehem,
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down
Unto the Lord did pray.
O, tidings ...

Christmas sheet music: "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen"

Go to the next page to learn about a New Year's Eve favorite, "Auld Lang Syne."