"Joy to the World" is a popular Christmas carol.
The words are by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. The song was first published in 1719 in Watts' collection; The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship. Watts wrote the words of "Joy to the World" as a hymn glorifying Christ's triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a song celebrating His first coming. Only the second half of Watts' lyrics are still used today.
The music was adapted and arranged to Watts' lyrics by Lowell Mason in 1839 from an older melody which was then believed to have originated from Handel, not least because the theme of the refrain (And heaven and nature sing...) appears in the orchestra opening and accompaniment of the recitative Comfort ye from Handel's Messiah, and the first four notes match the beginning of the choruses Lift up your heads and Glory to God from the same oratorio. However, Handel did not compose the entire tune. The name "Antioch" is generally used for the tune.
As of the late 20th century, "Joy to the World" was the most-published Christmas hymn in North America.
Read more about Joy To The World: Well-known Recordings, Lyrics, Lyric Variants, Parodies, Mariah Carey Version
Famous quotes containing the words joy to, joy and/or world:
“An attitude of philosophic doubt, of suspended judgment, is repugnant to the natural man. Belief is an independent joy to him.”
—William Minto (1845–1893)
“The Angel that presided o’er my birth
Said, “Little creature, formed of Joy and Mirth,
Go love without the help of any thing on earth.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)
“Whoever is still seeking for miracles so that he may believe is himself a wonder, who does not believe while the world around him does.”
—St. Augustine (354–430)