In another thread we mentioned the Christmas song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

How should that be punctuated?

• God rest ye, merry gentlemen. . . .(God give you rest, merry gentlemen.)
• God rest ye merry, gentlemen. . . .(God rest [keep] you merry, gentlemen.)

I always thought the former, but now that I think of it I incline toward the latter.

The latter.

quote:

Originally posted by Hic et ubique:
In another thread we mentioned the Christmas song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

How should that be punctuated?

• God rest ye, merry gentlemen. . . .(God give you rest, merry gentlemen.)
• God rest ye merry, gentlemen. . . .(God rest [keep] you merry, gentlemen.)

I always thought the former, but now that I think of it I incline toward the latter.

As Arnie says, it's the latter. It means roughly "May God keep you happy, gentlemen".

Another Christmas carol which is almost always misphrased is Silent Night. I've lost count of the times I've heard people sing "Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child" instead of "Round yon Virgin Mother and Child".

Fairly excusable is another one I've come across: "Good King Wences last looked out".

As a singer, I try and think of the sense and rhythm of the words as well as the music. Even if the singer has the loveliest voice and the best technique in the world (which, obviously, I haven't or I would be a professional singer), bad phrasing can detract from a fine song.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dianthus,

God, rest!
(Ye merry gentlemen.)

The merry gentlemen are telling that workaholic God that he should be more like them and rest.

The latter - rest ye merry, gentlemen.

Is this a poll?

aside: durn. I thought for a moment we had returned to normal style and color scheme. No question about it.

quote:

I thought for a moment we had returned to normal style and color scheme.

Haven't we?

Has something changed colorwise/administratorwise between the ninth and the eleventh? And for the better at that? How do we make "Thank you" into a question?

I'm pretty sure Wordcrafter changed it back; am I right?

I have always thought the gentlemen were merry and that the singer is wishing them rest. No? Ah well, I'll have to rethink it I guess.

quote:

Jehovah relax you drunken men of refinement.

Maybe it's not so simple as it appears.