Christmas Song in Old English [God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen] | The Skaldic Bard
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!
1 view
9
2
1 month ago 00:01:17 1
These two songs have the same key
1 month ago 00:03:39 1
Rage Against the Machine - Snakecharmer - Minnesota 1996
1 month ago 00:06:32 1
Pentatonix - Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video)
1 month ago 00:10:02 1
Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Dr. Dre - Back In The Game ft. DMX, Eve, Jadakiss, Ice Cube, Method Man, 2023
1 month ago 00:06:15 1
’Footloose’ - Dancing In The Movies
1 month ago 01:10:53 2
[Luke’s English Podcast] 696. WISBOLEP Competition Results + RAMBLE
1 month ago 11:54:58 1
Peppa Pig Full Episodes - LIVE 🚨 BRAND NEW PEPPA PIG EPISODES ⭐️
1 month ago 00:03:05 47
Влад Колор - Без Б / WRLD (Премьера трека - Lyric video 2024) (prod. by sogimura)
1 month ago 00:02:17 2
CHRISTMAS SONGS PUBLIC PIANO MASHUP BUDAPEST Peter Buka
1 month ago 00:01:46 1
ICE AGE: Live Action (2025) | Teaser Trailer - 20th Century Studios & Disney Plus
1 month ago 00:04:26 1
Twelve Days of Christmas with Lyrics Christmas Carol Song
1 month ago 00:17:49 1
DIY Christmas House Using Cardboard And Polystyrene Food Boxes (Styrofoam Food Containers)
1 month ago 00:03:34 1
Leona Lewis - Kiss Me It’s Christmas (Official Video) ft. Ne-Yo
1 month ago 00:02:48 1
Leona Lewis - One More Sleep (Official Video)
1 month ago 11:54:58 1
🔴 NEW Peppa Pig 2024 | Peppa Pig Tales | All Episodes LIVE
1 month ago 11:27:27 1
Peppa Pig Full Episodes 🌈 Peppa Pig STREAMING NOW 🌟 Kids Videos 🔴
2 months ago 00:03:11 1
[Walk With Me In Germany] Joyful Dancing at Mainfest 2024 | Römerberg Open Concert in Frankfurt
2 months ago 00:05:12 1
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS: Christmas For You Track 9 - Ave Maria
2 months ago 11:55:00 1
Unwind with Instrumental Christmas Jazz Music & Fireplace 🔥Cozy Christmas Bookstore Cafe Ambience
2 months ago 00:03:16 1
[Imperative sentence] Wash your hands - Easy Dialogue - Role Play
2 months ago 01:46:28 1
Tom Waits Collection on Letterman, 1983-2015
2 months ago 00:16:26 1
Brenda Lee shares the story behind her holiday hit Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
2 months ago 00:03:36 1
Oscar Benton BensonHurst Blues 1982
2 months ago 00:02:58 1
The Colors Song ~ Learn the Colors / Colours ~ LEARN ENGLISH with Natural English ~ LEARN VOCABULARY