God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The Festival Chorus Lyrics


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So this is Christmas and what have you done,
Another year over, a new one just begun.

And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.

And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.

And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.

And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.

And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.





War is over if you want it, war is over now.

Overall Meaning

The Festival Chorus's song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a holiday classic that captures the essence of Christmas by reflecting on the past year, embracing the present moment, and looking towards a hopeful future. The first stanza speaks to the passage of another year and the notion that a new one has just begun. It emphasizes the importance of reflection during the holiday season and encourages us to take stock of our accomplishments and lessons from the past year.


The second stanza celebrates the diversity of the holiday season by emphasizing the importance of spending time with loved ones, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. The line, "And so happy Christmas for black and for white/ For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights" is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the ongoing struggles for racial and social justice that plague our world. The song encourages us to come together and put aside our differences in the spirit of the season.


The final stanza concludes with the famous line, "War is over if you want it, war is over now." This line is a tribute to the anti-war sentiment of the 1970s when the song was written. The message is universal, however––it speaks to the idea that peace can be achieved if we are willing to work towards it. Overall, The Festival Chorus's rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a timely reminder that the holiday season is about much more than just presents and decorations––it's about coming together as a community, spreading love, and working towards a better future for all.


Line by Line Meaning

So this is Christmas and what have you done,
Reflect on what you have accomplished this year.


Another year over, a new one just begun.
The year has come to an end and there is a new one ahead.


And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
Enjoy this festive season.


The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
Celebrate with your loved ones, both old and young.


A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous new year.


Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
Hope for a positive year without any worries.


And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
This holiday is for everyone, regardless of strength.


The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
Both the rich and the poor face a long journey in life.


And so happy Christmas for black and for white
Christmas is a time for all races: black, white, and all the others.


For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
We should put an end to all racism and discrimination.


And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Let's reflect on what we, as a society, have accomplished this year.


Another year over, a new one just begun.
The year has come to an end and there is a new one ahead.


And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
May this festive season be filled with joy.


The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
Celebrate with your loved ones, both old and young.


A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous new year.


Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
Hope for a positive year without any worries.


War is over if you want it, war is over now.
If we all desire peace, we can overcome the specter of war and conflict.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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