The song “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is the second song found on the Classical Crossover Christmas CD entitled “Joy To The World” by Vanessa Joy and can be found here or you can listen to it here in Vanessa Joy’s store or here on youtube. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” has been sung over the years for so many numerous Christmas parties and festivities. I love it. The richness in the lyric brings such great meaning. The hauntingly beautiful mood is set immediately from the beginning with a slight twinkling of chimes. The tempo is slow and melodic, but continues with lots of movement that repeats throughout the entire song. I enjoyed being able to arrange this song and incorporate the theme that plays throughout the piece.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is a Christmas Carol dating back to the mid-18th century. The lyrics celebrate Christ’s birth and has been sung by many during the Christmas season. It is a favorite of mine because it is in a minor key and I love minor keys. It brings depth and warmth in way that major keys do not.
As I recorded this song in the studio I thought often a lot about the merry gentlemen in this song. Are we merry? Do we get caught up in the parties and commercial of Christmas and skip right over the meaning of Christ’s birth and the celebration of it? In our daily lives are we forgetful? As I thought about the merry gentlemen in this story it painted a picture in my mind of being caught up in parities and laughter, celebrations, and fun. But is that what Christmas is about? The night Christ was born in a lowly stable with a mother Mary meek and mild doesn’t make me think of laughter and fun, instead it makes me think of a simple, holy, quite stillness. Who do we think about while we are out celebrating at Christmastime? I hope that as you are merry this Christmas, that it is because of the light that is within you because of Christ. He brings us peace. How has Christ changed you? Please let me know in the comments below. Having Him in our hearts this season and every day is my hope for all of us. As you play this song, let it bring you added wisdom and strength as you listen to the melody and lyrics. Let it lead you into Christmas with a spirit of thoughtfulness and gratefulness. Let Christmas music bless your life.
