The traditional religious Christmas carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was sung for centuries before being first published in Britain in 1833. While it has been released by artists from all styles and genres of music, both secular and Christian, the top versions by Christian artists stand head and shoulders above the rest.
The carol has been covered by artists from just about every style of music. The following list covers the most popular versions by Christian & Gospel Arists.
1. 4HIM
Benson Records
Nobody out there sounds like 4HIM and they did amazing justice to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" on 1993's Christmas: The Season Of Love. The harmonies were pure magic and the rhythms that they blended with the traditional melody line gave the song a very upbeat feel with a lot of extra umph!
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2. DecembeRadio
Slanted Records
The DRadio guys really give it there all on their version of the classic carol and the harmony is outstanding. They may be a rock band, but they sure can slow it down just as perfectly as they can rock it out! More DecembeRadio
3. Jars Of Clay
Essential Records
Jars of Clay is flawless on their cut of the classic Christmas carol. Harmonies and strings abound, making this a perfect complement to any Christmas season.
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4. MercyMe
INO Records
MercyMe released their version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" in 2005 on The Christmas Sessions. Without losing the classicial feel of the song, the band brought in a pop rock twist that gave it a definite MercyMe sound.
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5. Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records
2005's All I Really Want For Christmas is where we hear Steven Curtis Chapman's version of the classic carol. Chapman delivers a warm and time-tested sound, bringing to mind the Christmas seasons of yesteryear.
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6. Randy Travis
Sony/BMG
Randy Travis has a voice that is recognizable in any crowd and he brings a real down-home country Christmas feel to the season with his rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."
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7. Jim Brickman
Windham Hill Records
Clocking in at an amazing 7 minutes, Jim Brickman's release of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" comes from his second Christmas album, Peace. Brickman plays with such a warm, yet delicate touch, that you find you don't miss vocals at all.
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8. Kevin Max
Northern Records
Kevin Max delivers his version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with a very pensive, jazz feel. It comes as quite a surprise from the former dcTalk member, showing the world that there is more to this talented man than we've seen thus far.
9. Annie Moses Band
Provident
The Wolaver family's beautifully done version features strings and harmonies sounding as if they come straight down from Heaven. This song/album was a highlight of the 2006 Christmas season.
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10. Bethany Dillon
Sparrow Records
I'll bet you didn't know that Bethany Dillon had a jazz streak in her? You hear it and hear it well on Shades Of Christmas: Jazz & Blues, a compilation that came out in 2007.
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