God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Christmas Carol Lyrics

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

In Bethlehem, in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
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 tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"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"
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

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

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 of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

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
All other doth deface
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

History Of This Carol

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (sometimes God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen) is one of the oldest existing Christmas carols in the English language, with roots that may stretch back to the 16th century or earlier. First published in the 1700s, the carol was already well known by then, often sung by town watchmen and carolers as they traveled through snow-dusted streets during the holiday season.

The title often causes confusion because of shifting punctuation and language use over time. In the original phrasing, "rest ye merry" meant "may God grant you peace and happiness," with “gentlemen” referring to listeners in general, not just men. In other words, it's a blessing—one that offers comfort and joy, just as the lyrics go on to describe.

The carol recounts the story of Christ’s birth with an emphasis on the joy and reassurance that it brings: “Let nothing you dismay.” Its minor key melody gives it a distinctively somber-yet-celebratory tone, a blend that feels deeply rooted in English tradition.

Whether performed by choirs, sung by carolers at the doorstep, or played in period films and holiday concerts, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen continues to offer an old-world echo of Christmas comfort and glad tidings.

Performance Video

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