This Christmas carol is unknown in origin but it is thought
to be from 16th or 17th century England and known to
have appeared as an incipit in William Hones Ancient Mysteries Described
in 1823.The carol collector
William Sandys, who possibly gave it the name we know today, took it and published
it in his Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern in 1833 although the refrain and
the last two verses did not appear at that time and were added some time later.The title has a comma added after "Merry"
which denote that gentlemen are asked to rest merry and not suggest that
they are merry gentlemen.Charles Dickens made use of the carol when Ebenezer Scrooge was
visited by a caroller that came to his door and began to sing it to him,
only to be angrily chased away with he threat of a ruler.The cover versions of this carol
are too numerous to mention but some acclaimed artists that have recorded
it are Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Jethro Tull, Neil Diamond, Mariah
Carey, Chicago, Garth Brooks, Carly Simon, Boyz II Men, Barenaked Ladies
and Iron Butterfly.
Black Dyke Mills Band recordings
Chandos 4541 (CD: A Christmas Fantasy)
Boston Pops recordings
Philips 416 287 - 2 (CD:We Wish You a Merry Christmas)
Conductor - John
Williams
DG 419 414-2 (CD: White Christmas)
Conductor - Arthur
Fiedler
RCA 09026-61685-2 (CD: Pops Christmas Party)
Conductor - Arthur
Fiedler
Sony SK 48232 (CD: Joy to the World)
Conductor - John
Williams
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra recordings
Naxos 8.990005 (CD: Joy to the World)
Conductor - Richard Hayman
Rochester Pops Orchestra
Koch CHD 1531 (CD: Joy to the WorldCarols for Orchestra and Chorus)
St Louis Philharmonic Orchestra recordings
Sonari records - 7 55724 00272 3 (CD: Christmas with
the Philharmonic)
