Festive Fundraising Tune of the Day #9 | God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
Channel: Howard Lake
Date: 2020-12-16

God Rest You Merry Gentle is the ninth Festive Fundraising Tune of the Day, performed by Howard Lake.

The English carol has been traced back to the 16th century.

It was mentioned by Charles Dickens in 'A Christmas Carol': he called it "God Bless You Merry Gentlemen". 

And therein lies Howard's fundraising tip.

We encounter door to door or street fundraisers early on, when they ask Scrooge and Marley to donate to charity. Scrooge says no, straight away, and justifies his decision, arguing that it is the state's responsibility, and not his. There are prisons, the poor law, and union workhouses provided for the poor, and that was enough for him. 

As a businessman Scrooge would also have been aware that the country had experienced four years of deflation, so he was going to hold on to his money at all costs.

Yet, just 24 hours later, Scrooge has been transformed, and shocks the same fundraisers when they encounter him again and he insists on giving them a donation. He gives Bob Cratchit a raise, attends Fred's Christmas party, and invites Cratchit to order more coals.

He is redeemed, and declares that his compassion and charitable giving will continue beyond that first Christmas Day. "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" he pledges.

If Ebenezer Scrooge can change his attitude to charitable giving, there is hope for all. A 'no' to a fundraiser isn't necessarily for all time: it can be a matter of circumstances for the donor.

Merry Christmas!


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