1. God rest you1 merry, gentlemen,

        Let nothing you dismay,
        For Jesus Christ our Saviour
        Was born upon this day,
        To save us all from Satan's power
        When we were gone astray:

            O tidings [bad word] and joy,
           [bad word] and joy,
            O tidings [bad word] and joy.

    2. In Bethlehem, in Israel,:2

        This blessèd Babe was born,
        And laid within a manger
        Upon this blessèd morn,
        The which His Mother Mary
        Did nothing take in scorn:

            O tidings ...

    3.From God our heavenly Father

        blessèd 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 ...

    4. The shepherds at those tidings

        Rejoicèd much in mind,
        And left their flocks a-feeding
        In tempest, storm and wind,
        And went to Bethlehem straightway,
        This blessèd Babe to find:

            O tidings ...

    5. But when to Bethlehem they came,

        Whereat this Infant lay,
        They found Him in a manger,
        Where oxen feed on hay;
        His mother Mary kneeling,
        Unto the Lord did pray:

            O tidings ...

    6. Now to the Lord sing praises,

        All you within this place,
        And with [bad word] love and brotherhood
        Each other now embrace;
        This holy tide of Christmas
        All others doth deface:3

            O tidings ...

    – Carols for Choirs