Sifa Lyrics

God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen by Jars of Clay cover art

Jars of Clay - God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen Lyrics

Artist:
Jars of Clay

Lyrics

Verse 1


God rest ye merry, gentlemen
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
O tidings of comfort and joy


Verse 2


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


Verse 3


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


Verse 4


"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


Verse 5


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


Verse 6


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


Verse 7


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


Video

Meaning & Inspiration

God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen is a traditional English Christmas carol that tells the nativity story in seven stanzas. Each stanza ends with the refrain "O tidings of comfort and joy," which gives the carol its mood of reassurance. The opening stanza names Christ as Saviour, born on Christmas day to rescue people who had gone astray.

The following verses follow the account in Luke. The child is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, and his mother Mary is mentioned with respect. An angel brings news to shepherds, who leave their flocks, travel through wind and storm, and find the child with oxen feeding nearby. The last stanza turns outward, calling listeners to sing praise and to embrace each other with true love and brotherhood. The carol therefore joins narrative and invitation, and its simple repetition makes it easy for a crowd to join in.

Related Scripture

  • Luke 2:10-11 An angel announces good news of a Savior born in the city of David.
  • Luke 2:15-16 The shepherds go to Bethlehem and find the baby lying in a manger.
  • Matthew 1:21 The child is named Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.