– Carols for Choirs – 1760

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas 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

From God our Heavenly Father
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 [bad word] and joy, [bad word] and joy
O tidings [bad word] and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who [bad word] in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings [bad word] and joy, [bad word] and joy
O tidings [bad word] and joy

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 other doth deface.
O tidings [bad word] and joy, [bad word] and joy
O tidings [bad word] and joy