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Here is my translation, arrangement and performance of the traditional English Christmas song “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” in Old English. My wife joins me in the latter part of the song. The song in its bare form dates back to a manuscript from the 1650s. The subtitles show the Old English in the middle with the literal translation above and the original text below. I love the note progression in this song and have always thought it would sound cool played in a more intense/slightly “dark” way, bringing the oomph out of those minor notes, which is what I have tried to do here. It makes me think of the gravity of the fact that the Saviour is born to free man from sin - not something to be taken lightly! I have maintained the original ABCBDB rhyming scheme of the original song and tried to keep the meaning as close to the original as possible - all except for one anachronism in the original which wouldn’t work in Old English, namely the reference to Christmas being the holy tide “which all others doth deface”, as it is reckoned that Easter was considered the most important festival in mediaeval times. Please leave a comment and like the video if you enjoyed it, it helps a lot! Cheers! Lyrics: Lā, lēof! God blissiġe ēow, Lo, sirs! May God gladden you, ne bēo ēower mōd græġ, let not your mood be grey, forþām þe Crīst sē Hǣlend wōc for Christ the Saviour was born on Cristes mæssedæġ. on Christmas Day. Fram Dēofle ūs tō nerienne To save us from the Devil hwænne æcþ synna wǣġ. when the weight of sin aches. Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Blīþe willspell! Pleasant, welcome tidings! Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Of Gode Wealdendfæder From God the Almighty Father cwōm ān heofonengel a heavenly angel came þe sumum sċēaphierdum who to some shepherds bodode þæt willspell: proclaimed those welcome tidings: Þæt on Hlāfhūse wæs ġeboren That in Bethlehem was born Godbearn, ūre Strenġel. The Son of God, our Ruler. Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Blīþe willspell! Pleasant, welcome tidings! Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Þā sċēaphierdas þæs spelles The shepherds at those tidings mid hyġe fæġnodon. in their hearts rejoiced. And on unġewyderum And in bad weather heora ēowd beglidon. abandoned their herd. Tō Hlāfhūse þæt ċild tō findenne To Bethlehem to find the child þā ēodon. they then went. Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Blīþe willspell! Pleasant, welcome tidings! Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Þā hīe tō Hlāfhūse cwōmon When they came to Bethlehem þǣr þæt ċild āleġd wæs, where the child was laid, ġefundon Hine on binne they found Him in a manger þǣr oxan etaþ græs. where oxen eat grass. His mōdor for Him cnēowlode His mother knelt before Him biddende ǣwfæst. praying with utmost piety. Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Blīþe willspell! Pleasant, welcome tidings! Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Heriaþ nū ūrne Dryhten, Praise now our Lord, ġe þe ġeador sind hēr. ye who are gathered here. And mid sōþum frēondsċipe And with true friendship openiaþ fæþm ēowern’. open your embrace. Frēod him þe Cristes mæssen Good will to those who Christmas frēolsiaþ ǣġhwēr. celebrate everywhere. Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! Blīþe willspell! Pleasant, welcome tidings! Lā! Þæt wæs blīþe willspell! Lo! They were pleasant, welcome tidings! -- Follow me on Spotify (The Skaldic Bard): If you'd like to support my work, you can do so here: Thank you for your kindness. Please do not redistribute my work without permission. Feel free to email me with any inquiries!
