SONGS:
-- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen --
(cover version)

Found on:

Christmas (1993)
Lyrics:

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.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy!

In Bethlehem, in Jewry
This blessed babe was born
And layed within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
For which his mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy!

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O 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.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy!


Known comments by Bruce Cockburn about this song, by date:

  • Album notes: "This is another fine old English carol, for which I borrowed from the style of U.K. singer/guitarist Martin Carthy, who, better than anyone I'm aware of, has managed to incorporate the guitar into this type of English folk tradition in a robust and imaginative way."

  • December 1993 -

    Simon Mayo: What are we doing next, sir?

    BC: Obviously something nice.

    SM: Yes, ‘cause Darren has requested that.

    BC: Actually, everyone's requested something nice so far, I'm noticing.

    SM: Could you do something horrid a little later?

    BC: Nobody wants to hear anything awful.

    SM: Right, what are we going to do now?

    BC: It may be horrid; let's see how it goes. This is old and English, and you may find it somewhat altered, but hopefully not in spirit. This is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. [plays God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen]
    -- from "Simon Mayo interviews Bruce Cockburn" (from Canada), BBC Radio 1, December 1993, Transcribed and submitted to the project by David Newton.


  • Help out! To add material to this section, see this page first.


    Song Index | Alphabetical Song Index | Chronological Song Index
    This page is part of The Cockburn Project, a unique website that exists to document the work of Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Bruce Cockburn. The Project archives self-commentary by Cockburn on his songs and music, and supplements this core part of the website with news, tour dates, and other current information.