God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Elvis Presley & the Jordanaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
(Oh tidings of comfort and joy)
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
(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)
The lyrics of Elvis Presley & the Jordanaire's song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are a call for rejoicing and celebration for the birth of Christ. The song urges the listener to be merry and not to be discouraged. The opening line, "God rest you merry, gentlemen" is actually an archaic way of expressing well wishes, and not a reference to resting one's physical body. The song encourages a joyous attitude towards the season of Christmas.
The song then goes on to recount the story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, emphasizing the humble circumstances of his birth. The child was born in a manger, and despite being the son of God, his mother Mary did not show any signs of embarrassment or shame for the humble setting of his birth. The song portrays the event as a blessing and a reason for joy and hope.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the birth of Christ and the joy that it brings. It is a reminder that despite the hardships and difficulties of life, there is always hope and reason to be merry, especially during the Christmas season.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest you merry, gentlemen
May God give you peace and happiness, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Do not be discouraged by anything
Remember Christ our Savior
Recall that Christ is our rescuer
Was born on Christmas Day
Was born on the day we celebrate as Christmas
To save us all from Satan's power
To redeem us from the grip of Satan
When we were gone astray
When we had lost our way
(Oh tidings of comfort and joy)
(Oh news of consolation and happiness)
(Comfort and joy, o tidings of comfort and joy)
(Happiness and joy, oh news of consolation and happiness)
In Bethlehem in Jewry
In the town of Bethlehem in Judea
This blessed Babe was born
This holy infant was born
And laid within a manger
And placed within an animal's feeding trough
Upon this blessed morn
On this holy morning
The which His Mother Mary
His mother, Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Received with humility and without complaint
(O tidings of comfort and joy)
(Oh news of consolation and happiness)
(Comfort and joy o tidings of comfort and joy)
(Happiness and joy, oh news of consolation and happiness)
From God our Heavenly Father
From our godly, heavenly father
A blessed Angel came
A holy angel arrived
And unto certain shepherds
And to specific shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
Delivered the same news
How that in Bethlehem was born
That in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
The Son of God, named Jesus
(O tidings of comfort and joy)
(Oh news of consolation and happiness)
(Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy)
(Happiness and joy, oh news of consolation and happiness)
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Universal Music Publishing Group, Integrity Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind