Nat King Cole - God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Capitol Records 1960)

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (also known as God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen) is an English traditional Christmas carol. The melody is in Aeolian mode. It was published by William B. Sandys in 1833, although the author is unknown. Like so many early Christmas songs, this carol was written as a direct reaction to the music of the fifteenth century church, in Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas. However, in the as-yet earliest known publication of the carol on a circa 1760 broadsheet, it is described as a “new Christmas carol,“ suggesting its origin is actually in the mid-18th century. It appeared again among “new carols for Christmas“ in another 18th-century source, a chapbook believed to be printed between 1780-1800. God rest ye merry gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satans power When we were gone astray Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy Oh, tidings of comfort and joy From God, our heavenly Father A blessed angel came And unto certain poor shepherds Brought tidings of the same How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy Oh, tidings of comfort and joy Fear not then said the angel, Let nothing you affright This day is born a Savior of pure virgin bright To free all those who trust in Him From Satan’s power and might Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy Oh, 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 others doth deface Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy Oh, tidings of comfort and joy