God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan Lyrics
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Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day;
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy!
From God our heavenly Father
This 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!
O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain;
Gold I bring to crown Him again;
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Worshipping God most high.
O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
The lyrics to "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/We Three Kings" is a medley of two traditional Christmas carols. The first carol, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," was written in the 16th century and has a simple yet powerful message of comfort and joy brought by the birth of Christ. The lyrics call for the listeners to not be dismayed but to remember the Savior's birth and that he saved humanity from Satan's power. The joy and comfort found in the birth of Christ is expressed in the chorus with the lyrics, "O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy!"
The second carol, "We Three Kings," written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins Jr., speaks of the journey of the three kings who followed a star to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the newborn King. The star they followed is referenced in the lyrics, "O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light." The kings presented the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and the lyrics say, "Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown Him again, king forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign." The final verse of the medley refers to Christ's eventual ascension to heaven with the lyrics, "Glorious now behold Him arise, king and God and sacrifice, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Worshipping God most high."
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
May you joyful and not lose hope, dear men
Remember Christ our Saviour was born upon this day
Bear in mind that today is the day when Christ our rescuer was born
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray
He came to save us from the grasp of Satan when we had lost our way
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
How delightful and soothing the news is!
From God our heavenly Father, this blessed angel came
An angel was sent by our divine father, God
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
And this angel conveyed the same message to some shepherds
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
The Son of God was born in Bethlehem just as it was prophesied
O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright
What an amazing star! Bright and majestic it shines in the night sky
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light
We seek guidance from you, leading star to reach the perfect light
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown Him again
He was born as the King on Bethlehem's plane, and now I bring my gift to coronate him again with gold
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign
He will remain the King forever, and his reign will never end, extending over all people
Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and sacrifice, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Worshipping God most high
See him rise and shine; he is the King, the God, and the ultimate sacrifice - hallelujah! We worship the most high God
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SCOTT BENNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TALKINGtac0
The way they snuck We Three Kings in there was just exquisite. And who else but Sarah McLachlan to sing that part? Just beautiful.
@williamstyers4264
I don't generally like to hear traditional Christmas music rearranged a great deal, but Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLaclan hit this one out of the park. One of my favorite Christmas songs now.
@terryallan283
+William Styers YUP
@cathlinhess2500
+William Styers - this was recorded many years ago in Detroit, backstage after a concert - they just opened up a jam, and ta da! Pretty awesome :-)
@amandakuhlman3723
YES! I heard this a few years ago for the first time and played it over and over again until my family wanted to strangle me! now I can get my eight year old son to sing parts along with me!
@bwturner1951
+Jack Calvert Ditto!
@tmsmileyful
William Styers
@matttennis
My favorite version of this song. Sarah McLachlan's voice is angelic.
@lillysinghandsweeettailsfa278
Me too
@bobbyb7979
Me three!