The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #120141   Message #2611429
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
14-Apr-09 - 11:44 PM
Thread Name: Origins: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Subject: RE: Origins: God rest ye Merry Gentlemen
Since a copy of Olson is archived at Mudcat, the early version of the song is available for them as wants it.
Here is the 1st verse, so that we can list another 'title'.

Sit yo w merry Gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ is borne
to save o r soules from Satan
When as we runne away
O tidings of comfort & joy.

Superscript letters in the Olson text are represented by separation in the two instances in that verse.

In Olson, Within SONGTEXT.HTM
Oxford Bodleian library MS Eng. poet. b.5; the manuscript c. 1650.