Why the comma in God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen? First published in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833), with the help of William B. Sandy, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is one of the oldest carols sung today, dating back over 500 years. The composer is not known but at least two sources from that time period heralded it as the nation’s favorite carol.
Did you know that God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is the only song mentioned in Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol? Ebenezer Scrooge lashes out, “’…at the first sound of ‘God bless you merry, gentlemen, May nothing you dismay!’ Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled in terror…”
Why the comma in God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen?
When we look deeper into this ancient and beloved carol, we see that some of the words have changed meanings down through the centuries. The word rest meant to keep or make and merry possibly referred to being strong or mighty, similar to Robin Hood’s Merry Men or Robin Hood’s Mighty and Strong Men.
The insertion of the comma after merry could have been written, “God make you mighty, gentlemen.” No wonder they were singing this up and down the streets of London! They weren’t encouraging merry men to rest necessarily, they were encouraging those mighty men, who had discovered Christ had been born, to continue to stand strong, or maybe as a reminder that God would keep them safe and strong if they were in Christ Jesus.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is a wonderful rallying cry for The Church today! Christmas is much more than tinsel and gifts, and as the Body of Christ, it is our duty to herald it from the rooftops that the babe was born in a manger but it didn’t end there. He was born as a baby, to be sure, but He lived a sinless life and gave that life as a ransom to save us all from Satan’s power when we have gone astray!
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy!
As you reflect on this song throughout the Christmas season, or maybe include it in your caroling list, remember that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name and His name is Jesus. Then, thank God that He has made YOU Mighty through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, not to just hoard His goodness to yourself but to spread the Good News wherever you go this Christmas and beyond.
Enjoy the lyrics and the video and let nothing you dismay; we have hope this blessed Christmas season that He is coming again!
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, 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.
Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
In Bethlehem, in Israel, this bless’d Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this bless’d morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.
From God our heavenly Father a bless’d angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.
‘Fear not, then,’ said the angel, ‘Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.’
The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl’em straightaway this bless’d Babe to find.
But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.
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 others doth deface.
God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas may live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near.
Final Refrain:
That God send you a happy new year, happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.
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I agree with you after viewing Snopes – that Merry is MIGHTY . Rest: take hold and hold fast – Keep strong.
Your post is uplifting, encouraging and enlightening! Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
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Hi, Nannette! 🙂 I had no idea of the meaning of that phrase! But I enjoyed how you connected it to present day, encouraging us to herald the Savior’s birth. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this with us at Grace and Truth last week.
Jen @ Being Confident of This
Very interesting! I never knew there was a comma anywhere in that title!
Hi Nanette,
I stumbled upon in this page in my search for the reason behind the comma placement in the title of this song.
You are correct that the comma belongs after the word “merry,” not after “ye.” However, the explanation that “merry” used to mean “mighty” seems to be unsubstantiated. See http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/godrestye.asp.
In any case, Merry Christmas!
Thank you for stopping by Cheryl. I thought it was a great story and so glad many have enjoyed it. Blessings to you!
Thank you Sharon! I struggle too but knowing He is fighting for us and as you said, already won, makes all the difference in the power I possess! Greater is He that is in me! ♥
Me too, Beth. I agree some carolers walking the streets with songs of encouragement would be amazing. We sure need it right now! Hugs to you and a blessed Christmas season ♥
Sorry I was so late to reply. I need to be a little more prompt on my commenting too. Thank you so much for sharing your reads! I appreciate it and enjoy your space in the blogging world so much. Merry Christmas! ♥
Ha, thanks, Karen! Blessed Christmas to you and yours!
Me too, Debbie. Blessings to you this season. ♥
Calm down and listen up is a pretty good take on it too, Ruthie, ha. Thanks for the compliments on the image, I always stress over those, not my expertise. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much Rhiannon! So glad you visited today. Anxious to see what Rebel Jesus is all about ♥
O Holy Night is one of my favorites too Rachel. Love the stories behind the carols ♥
Thank you for visiting, Amanda! Merry Christmas to you! ♥
I know everyone is saying the same thing, but I had not even noticed the comma before, either. It’s funny howyou look at something so long and think you know it so well. Then, you realize you knew nothing about it at all. Thanks for sharing!
Very interesting! I’m not very familiar with this tune (I’d have to say my favorite Christmas hymn is “O Holy Night”), but I find the way that words change meaning over time to be very intriguing!
This was a wonderful read. Until you mentioned it I had not noticed or thought about the comma. What delightful insight you had to offer. I have a new outlook on this song! #grace&truth
Wow! I never realized that fact, but I have always wondered why it said “rest”! I figured it just meant, “Calm down and listen up!” lol. Interesting. And yes, we must gird up and be strong in our faith and the great tidings, telling them far and wide, not hoarding them to ourselves. Good words – and also I loved your graphic, Nannette!
I’m your neighbor on G&T today!
Nannette, I loving learning something new about something old. I’m sharing this. Thanks so much.
Love the background on this. I’ll sure be pointing out the important comma to folks all Christmas long! thanks
Nannette, I just posted a round up entitled “What I’ve Been Reading” with a link to this post. I hope others enjoy discovering “the reason for the comma.” Blessings!
I love this, Nannette! I love anything that has to do with history, but especially literary anachronisms. I love how the singers of this song were encouraging other believers to stand strong in their faith. I think we need to have some carolers like that going up and down our streets all year long! ha! But then we’d probably take their message for granted and it would lose effect, I suppose. But I’m encouraged by the message you’ve shared here today, girlfriend! Hugs to you!
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Nannette, I can’t resist a good bit of trivia, so I had to click over from Beth’s Messy Marriage linkup. You did not disappoint. I’ll be sharing this bit! 😉 Blessing!
A few Christmases ago, our pastor mentioned the meaning of this carol. I found it most informative! You have expanded on what he taught that Sunday. As for resting (as in staying calm) and being merry (as in that upbeat, positive outlook), I sometimes struggle! But, as for being strong and mighty, well, the Lord fights for me, He has won the victory – and so yes, in His power, I am a warrior!!
We must never be dismayed…
GOD BLESS!
Oh how I enjoy learning hymn histories! And this one is quite powerful! Thanks for sharing this Nan. I will be sharing this with my children 🙂