The band has recorded many albums of instrumental Irish folk music, as well as multiple collaborations with popular musicians of many genres, including Country music, Galician traditional music, Cape Breton and Newfoundland music, and rock and roll. They have performed with Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Roger Daltrey, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Sinéad O'Connor, James Galway, Jackson Browne, Nancy Griffith and numerous Country-western artists. In 1975, the group won praise for their playing of "Women of Ireland" for Stanley Kubrick's movie Barry Lyndon.
They have won six Grammy Awards and have been nominated eighteen times. In 2002 they were given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the UK's BBC Radio 2. The front covers of the first four albums were designed by Edward Delaney.
Paddy Moloney is the band's leader, and composes or arranges most of the band's music. While the band's members changed numerous times in the band's early history, the membership solidified in 1979 when Matt Molloy replaced Michael Tubridy.
From then until 2002, members included:
Paddy Moloney (uilleann pipes, tin whistle, button accordion, bodhrán)
Matt Molloy (flute, tin whistle)
Kevin Conneff (bodhrán, vocals)
Seán Keane (fiddle, tin whistle)
Martin Fay (fiddle, bones) (born 1938; died 14 November 2012)
Derek Bell (Irish harp, keyboard instruments, oboe) (born 21 October 1935; died 17 October 2002)
In 2002, Fay retired from active membership. In the same year, Bell died due to complications following a minor operation. Fay died on 14 November 2012.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The Chieftains 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,
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
The lyrics of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" are a message of hope and joy for the Christmas season. The song reminds listeners that even though there might be setbacks and pain, the birth of Christ, our Saviour, is a reason to rest easy and not be dismayed. The newborn Jesus, who was placed in a manger, was sent to save humanity from the power of Satan, and the good news of His birth brings comfort and joy to all.
The lyrics are divided into four verses, with each one telling a different part of the story of Jesus' birth. The first verse speaks of the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth to shepherds in Bethlehem. The second verse tells of the shepherds' journey to Bethlehem to find the newborn Christ. In the third verse, the angel tells the shepherds not to fear, for the Saviour has been born. Finally, the fourth verse calls on all within earshot of the great news to sing praises and embrace each other with brotherhood in celebration of Christmas.
Overall, "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with people all over the world. It is a reminder to all that the message of Christmas endures, no matter how trying the times may be.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
May you gentlemen have peaceful and happy lives
Let nothing you dismay
Do not let anything discourage you
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Do not forget that Jesus is our rescuer
Was born on Christmas day
He was born on this special day
To save us all from Satan's power
His mission was to deliver us from Satan's authority
When we were gone astray
When we were lost or confused
O tidings of comfort and joy,
What great news that is comforting and joyful
Comfort and joy
Peaceful and happy feelings
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This event happened in Bethlehem in Israel
This blessed Babe was born
This holy baby was delivered
And laid within a manger
And was placed in a feeding trough for animals
Upon this blessed morn
On this blessed morning
The which His Mother Mary
His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
Did not look down on this situation
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed messenger from our Father in Heaven
A blessed Angel came;
A holy angel brought good news
And unto certain Shepherds
And spoke to some shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
Told them the same news
How that in Bethlehem was born
About the birth of a special baby in Bethlehem
The Son of God by Name.
Whose name is the Son of God
Fear not then," said the Angel,
The angel said, do not be afraid
Let nothing you affright,
Do not let anything frighten you
This day is born a Saviour
Today a rescuer has been born
Of a pure Virgin bright,
Born of a pure and bright virgin
To free all those who trust in Him
To deliver everyone who has faith in Him
From Satan's power and might.
From the power and authority of Satan
The shepherds at those tidings
Upon hearing the news
Rejoiced much in mind,
Were filled with great joy
And left their flocks a-feeding
They left their animals feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
Even though it was a difficult time
And went to Bethlehem straightway
They went straight to Bethlehem
The Son of God to find.
To find the Son of God
Now to the Lord sing praises,
Let us now praise the Lord
All you within this place,
Everyone in this location
And with true love and brotherhood
And let us love and care for one another
Each other now embrace;
Show our love by embracing one another
This holy tide of Christmas
This holy season of Christmas
All other doth deface.
Surpasses all others
O tidings of comfort and joy,
What great news that is comforting and joyful
Comfort and joy
Peaceful and happy feelings
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRACE PRICE, ROBERT LEE BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tom canterbury
on North Amerikay
the great accapella version by kevin on tribute to their harpist