God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen dates back to at least the 17th Century.
The earliest known printed edition can be found in a broadsheet dating from around 1670.
Its London connection?
It's the carol being sung through Scrooge's letterbox in A Christmas Carol…
"The owner of one scant young nose, gnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs, stooped down at Scrooge’s keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol: but at the first sound of
“God bless you, merry gentleman! May nothing you dismay!”
Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action, that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost. At length the hour of shutting up the counting-house arrived."
It's a course of action he goes on to regret later in the story…
“I wish,” Scrooge muttered, putting his hand in his pocket, and looking about him, after drying his eyes with his cuff: “but it’s too late now.”
“What is the matter?” asked the Spirit.
“Nothing,” said Scrooge. “Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that’s all.” Six versions of God Rest You Merry Gentlemen for you to enjoy…
Keep In Touch…
