Joy to the World

"Joy to the World" is a popular Christmas carol. The words are by English hymn writer , 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 the song as a hymn glorifying Christ's triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a Christmas song celebrating his first coming as a baby born in a stable. Only the second half of Watts' lyrics are still used today.
The music was adapted and arranged to Watts' lyrics by in 1839 from an older melody which was then believed to have originated from , not 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, but the first four notes match the beginning of the choruses "Lift up your head" and "Glory to God" from the same oratorio. However, Handel did not compose the entire tune.
As of the late 20th century, the song was the most-published Christmas hymn in North America.
This song is featured in various Disney music media, including Disney's Sing-Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas Songs. It is also heard in Robert Zemeckis' A Christmas Carol when Ebenezer Scrooge passes by nearby carolers. In the beginning of the film, he silences them, but near the end, after the visit from the three spirits, he joins in and donates to charity.
==Lyrics==
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! 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.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Category:Songs
Category:Christmas songs
Category:Christmas carols
Category:Songs in Disney Sing Along Songs videos
Category:Non-Disney songs
Category:A Christmas Carol
Category:Songs by holiday