Song of the Day 12/25: Philadelphia Orchestra, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”

“The Glorious Sound of Christmas,” recorded in 1962 by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Normandy, remains the best-selling classical holiday album ever — it sold 1 million copies before Christmas 1963, and has continued to sell well in every recording medium since invented. Why? I think it’s because it’s the rare classical album that doesn’t cover every carol in schmaltz.

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is the oldest carol people still sing, dating back to at least the 16th century, which is why “rest” in the title doesn’t refer to sleeping in — back then, it meant “remain,” and the phrase “God rest you merry” means “may God grant you peace and happiness.”So the punctuated line reads “God rest ye merry, gentlemen,” not “Good rest ye, merry Gentlemen.” Now that you know that, enjoy, and be aware that the rest of the LP is available on YouTube as well.