When was Joy to the World written and by who?
Prolific hymn writer and minster Isaac Watts wrote the lyrics to the Christmas carol Joy to the World in 1719, after being inspired by Psalm 98 and Genesis chapter 3. It was first published in his collection The Psalms of David, and was one of about 750 hymns he wrote.
Who composed the music to Joy to the World
Now that's a question! This familiar tune, known as Antioch, has been accredited to both Handel and Lowell Mason, but there is no denying Handel's influence, with the first four notes of Joy to the World being the same as the first four of the Messiah's chorus. There are other Handel influences too, like the arioso Comfort Ye, also from Messiah. It is also believed that the tune was around for quite a while before Mason published it, as it is very similar to the Wesley hymn O Joyful Sound. However whoever was responsible for composing the music, we have Mason to thank for pairing it with Watts's words.
What is the story behind Joy to the World?
The carol celebrates Jesus and his promise that he will return to earth, in his second coming.
What are the lyrics to 'Joy to the World'?
Joy to the world! Joy to the world! Oh, woah
*
Joy to the world! The Lord is come Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
*
Joy to the world! Joy to the world! Oh
*
Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods Rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
*
Joy to the world then we sing Let the earth receive her King! Joy to the world then we sing Let the angel voices ring
*
Joy to the world then we sing Let the men their songs employ Joy to the world then we sing And repeat the sounding joy
*
He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove (And makes the nations prove) And glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders of His love And wonders, wonders of His love
*
Joy to the world then we sing Let the earth receive her King! Joy to the world then we sing Let the angel voices ring
Find more lyrics to your favourite Christmas carols here