God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

for Piano Trio or String Quartet

“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is one of the oldest English Christmas carols still sung today. Its earliest known printed edition dates from around 1760, and an early version already appears in a manuscript from the 1650s. This powerful arrangement is a wonderful choice to expand your Christmas carol sheet music library.

Its title hides a little secret: the comma goes after “merry”. In old English, “rest” meant “keep”, so the carol wishes: “God keep you merry, gentlemen!” Charles Dickens chose it for the very beginning of “A Christmas Carol” (1843)… where a young caroler sings it at Scrooge’s keyhole. Dickens even changed the words a little: his caroler sings “God bless you”, not “God rest you”.

The carol’s lyrics express wishes of peace, joy and good health, and tell the story of the Nativity. The melody is simple and haunting, making it a popular choice for both traditional and contemporary Christmas arrangements.

The composer of the melody is unknown: like many folk carols, it has been passed down through generations, evolving over time. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message of peace and goodwill.