That affirmation was a turning point for Matt, as he realized that his true passion was using his voice to interpret a song. He grabbed a guitar, taught himself to play and began composing his own music the summer before he entered Nashville’s Vanderbilt University. Before the first day of class commenced, Billy Adair, Director of the Vanderbilt/Blair School of Music Blair Big Band, had already recruited Matt to sing for the Band. Soon, Matt was directing himself, leading the Dodecaphonics, an all-male a Capella campus group.
The rising star eventually came to the attention of Nashville’s music industry following a performance of the Nashville Jazz Orchestra. That performance landed him a televised appearance as a featured entertainer for the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant 2006, which eventually led him to Green Hill Music, where he recorded an album of Christmas standards for the independent label. That album quickly became one of the label’s best selling holiday releases that season.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Matt Belsante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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-aca
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a traditional Christmas carol that aims to convey the message of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour. The song urges listeners to be jolly and not dismayed as Christ, our Saviour, was born on Christmas day to save us all from Satan's power. The carol expresses hope and comfort that can be found in the message of Jesus' birth. In the first stanza, the song reflects on the joy that Jesus Christ's birth brings and reminds us of the reason for the season. It also highlights the concept of redemption and salvation that is central to the Christian faith.
The second stanza recounts the events of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and how He was laid in a manger. It talks about the humble beginnings of Jesus and the role of Mary, his mother in his birth. The third stanza tells the story of the shepherds who visited Jesus after receiving the news from the angels. It emphasizes their joy and excitement upon hearing the good news, which leads them to find Jesus in a manger where he was born. The final stanza invites everyone to join in praising the Lord and to celebrate the birth of Jesus with love and brotherhood.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
May God keep you happy and joyful, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Do not be discouraged by anything
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Recall that Jesus Christ is our redeemer
Was born on Christmas day
He was born on the day we celebrate as Christmas
To save us all
To save all of humanity
From Satan's power
To rescue us from the control of the devil
When we were gone astray
When we had wandered away from the right path
O tidings of comfort and joy
Oh, this message brings comfort and happiness
In Bethlehem, in Israel
In the town of Bethlehem, which is located in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
This special child was born
And laid within a manger
And placed in a feeding trough for animals
Upon this blessed morn
On this special morning
The which His Mother Mary
Whose mother was Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Did not show contempt or disrespect
From God our Heavenly Father
Sent by God, our Father in Heaven
A blessed Angel came
A divine messenger arrived
And unto certain Shepherds
And went to particular shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
Announced the same message
How that in Bethlehem was born
That the Son of God was born in Bethlehem
The Son of God by Name
Whose name was the Son of God
Fear not then, said the angel
Do not be afraid, said the angel
Let nothing you affright
Do not let anything frighten you
Of a pure Virgin bright
Of a completely pure and virtuous virgin
To free all those
To liberate everyone
Who trust in Him
Who have faith in Him
From Satan's power and might
From the authority and strength of the devil
The shepherds at those tidings
The shepherds upon hearing the message
Rejoiced much in mind
Were extremely happy in their hearts
And left their flocks a-feeding
And left their animals grazing
In tempest, storm and wind
In the midst of harsh weather conditions
And went to Bethlehem straightway
And went directly to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay
Where our beloved Savior was lying
They found Him in a manger
They discovered Him in a feeding trough
Where oxen feed on hay
Where cattle eat hay
His Mother Mary kneeling down
His mother Mary was kneeling
Unto the Lord did pray
Praying to the Lord
Now to the Lord sing praises
Now sing praises to the Lord
All you within this place
All those present here
And with true love
And with genuine love
And brotherhood-approaching Him embrace
Approach Him with brotherly love and unity
This holy tide of Christmas
This sacred season of Christmas
All others doth efface
Diminishes every other holiday or celebration
Contributed by Harper Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.