Whoever the author was, could it be that he actually saw the painting here (by Gerard van Honthorst), since it was done in 1622, and that he was inspired to write something in poetry to match how he felt upon seeing this work? “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” was how this anonymous author felt that Christmas season, perhaps sometime as early as the 16th Century, although other sources indicate it was written in either the 17th Century or possibly even later. And, note where the comma occurs, and that this changes the flavor of the song’s message too. Do this author’s words make you feel the awe and wonder that the characters in the poem experienced? Perhaps that might explain too why the music was crafted the way it was. There’s plenty to appreciate about how this nameless writer went about expressing the greatest joy mankind can have. Maybe that realization also affected what would flow from his quill.
This writer puts himself and us in the shoes (or sandals) of everyone that was there to gaze upon the Christ-child those first few hours. While all humanity can feel merriment at the sin-relief this child would eventually provide, the phrasing and the meaning of the word ‘rest’ and ‘merry’ in old England indicates God is the one acting upon us -- He’s the one making us merry. Alternatively, if the comma is misplaced, I’m wished a rest, but my merriment could be interpreted as just a human condition that’s only indirectly related to this rest He provides. Think of the original intent of the phrase as ‘Be ye made merry’ -- with the ‘rest’ meaning that He’s keeping, causing, and making my joyous condition remain in place. That’s more than just feeling relief or rest, right? What other emotions the writer had might also be deduced, if he had a hand in the printed music that eventually showed up in the 1700s and 1800s. Even musically illiterate folks can hear the difference between a song written in a major versus a minor key. That musical historians believe ‘God Rest Ye Merry…’ was conceived in a minor key suggests the poet-musician was trying to covey more than an upbeat praise, but instead really the awe the onlookers at Bethlehem sensed. Certainly, ‘comfort and joy’ (in the refrain) must have been present, but wonderment and amazement at how events had transpired must have coaxed many questions, too. Who among the shepherds would not have had eyes-wide-open looks on their faces when seeing the angels (vv.3-5) and then discovering this exceptional God-child in a cow’s feeding trough (vv. 2,6)? ‘Fear not’ (v.4), they’re told. They’ve also surmised that they are ‘saved from Satan’s power’ (v.1), a most breathtaking consequence of this child’s life.
Most hymnbooks, unfortunately, do not have the 7th and 8th verses of ‘God Rest Ye Merry…’, a missed opportunity for a bit of evolution that could be achieved in the hymn’s tone, as it concludes. Those two verses seem to emotionally crown the events of the previous six. So, here’s a suggestion from this lay-person-blogger: how about modulating verses 7 and 8 into a major key? This would let the celebrants know that indeed, now there’re no lingering doubts – that nothing but ‘sing(ing) praises …true love and brotherhood’ (v.6), and ‘many…merry Christmas (es)’ (v.7) await us who glow in His presence. Something indeed to celebrate in the season, and not just at Christmastime.
See more information on the song story in these sources: The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, 2006.
See here for history of the song: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Rest_You_Merry,_Gentlemen
See link here to the song’s original eight verses and refrain: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/g/o/d/r/godrest.htm
See here information re: the source in which the song may have first been published: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxburghe_Ballads
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