English Folk-Carols/God bless you, merry gentlemen

For other versions of this work, see God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.

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English Folk-Carols (1911)
by Cecil James Sharp

God bless you, merry gentlemen by Anonymous

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This regional variant of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" was sung by Mr. Tom Ison, at Ely. For more information, see Notes on the Songs at the end of this volume.

772657English Folk-Carols — God bless you, merry gentlemen1911Anonymous

VI.⁠GOD BLESS YOU, MERRY GENTLEMEN.

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GOD BLESS YOU, MERRY GENTLEMEN.

1⁠God bless you, merry gentlemen.
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas Day
To save poor souls from Satan's power,
That long have gone astray—
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy,
⁠Joy and joy,
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy.

2⁠The shepherds brought these tidings
And rejoiced much in mind;
They left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind.
Straightway they went to Bethlehem
The Son of God to find—
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy,
⁠Joy and joy.
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy.

3⁠Straightway they went to Bethlehem,
Where our sweet Saviour lay;
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed with hay;
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Kneeling to the Lord did pray—
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy,
⁠Joy and joy,
Which brings tidings of comfort and joy.

4⁠God bless the Master of this house
And Mis-ter-ess also;
God bless the little children
That round the table go;
God bless their friends and kindred,
That come from far and near;
May the Lord send a happy New Year,
⁠Happy New Year,
May the Lord send a happy New Year.