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.
December 09, 2005, 08:22
arnie
The latter.
Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
December 09, 2005, 09:56
Dianthus
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,
December 09, 2005, 12:24
BobHale
God, rest! (Ye merry gentlemen.)
The merry gentlemen are telling that workaholic God that he should be more like them and rest.
"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
December 09, 2005, 17:12
haberdasher
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.
December 11, 2005, 20:47
Kalleh
quote:
I thought for a moment we had returned to normal style and color scheme.
Haven't we?
December 12, 2005, 04:01
haberdasher
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?
December 12, 2005, 11:49
arnie
I'm pretty sure Wordcrafter changed it back; am I right?
Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
December 12, 2005, 17:29
Caterwauller
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.
******* "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. ~Dalai Lama
