GOD REST YOU MERRY GENTLEMEN
(Traditional, London, 18th Century)


CHORUS:
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.
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 

*In Bethlehem, in Jewry,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn;
The which his mother Mary,
Did nothing take in scorn.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.  


* (Additional verse contributed by Ferda Dolunay - October 2005)