God Rest Ye, Merry Who?
Ever heard of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol?"
Don't worry if you haven't. It was written in 1843. I bet you have heard of a famous character from this play: SCROOGE. Well, this famed play tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an old, miserly gentleman. He is visited by the ghost of his former business partner - Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
After their visits, Scrooge becomes a kinder, gentler man. Seems like a great thing to reflect on before the New Year! Our Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Transformation is here! Back to the story. This famous carol is referred to in that play.
The history of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen stretches back to the 15th Century!
Adam Miller provides a wonderful bit of history that helps to frame the interesting nature of this song! The 15th century church sang only dark, somber songs usually written in Latin. People sang Christmas songs to the streets of Old London to offset the somberness of church music at that time. This song was one that they sang!
Today, the word "merry" meant "happy." In those times, the word "merry" meant "great or mighty." An example is Robin Hood's "merry" men. In reality, the word merry indicated might. They were his "mighty" men.
The original meaning of the phrase: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen really means "God make you mighty, gentlemen." A great message for yesterday - and today!
See what I mean? Songs are amazing intersections. In the performance of them, the musician(s) serves as the time machine. From the 1500s to December 2020 - in the middle of a global pandemic.
A perfect song for today. Ready? Let's go!
Friends, meet Vel Lewis, Grammy-Nominated Songwriter & Award Winning Hammond ® organist
He is also an accomplished singer, producer, and arranger, whose music can be found on well-known TV shows such as The Sopranos, Mad About You, Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and many more. He has performed on the same concert stages with Frankie Beverly and Maze, The O'Jays, Grover Washington, The Spinners, The Whispers, The Stylistics, The Supremes, to name a few. He also toured with Dionne Warwick on her World Tour for three years before embarking on his own solo career.
His latest single, “Houston Strong” which he dedicated to all the Harvey survivors, landed on the 61st Annual Grammy Awards ballot for consideration, making it his third song on a Grammy ballot.
Ready? Let's click and have a listen.
Click the Link Below & Attend a FREE and Amazing Evening of Music with Vel
I've already signed up to attend Vel's Holiday Groove Night, Saturday, Dec. 5th from 6 - 7 PM, CST. Hope you will join us!
Facebook Live link: Vel's Holiday Groove Night 2020
Stay tuned! The Next Sonrie! 12 Musical Days of Christmas Post is this Friday!
TOGETHER: We CAN Raise Our Resonance.
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Credits:
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Arranged by: Vel Lewis
Performance by: Vel Lewis
© Mariam Haddad. All Rights Reserved.