Uploaded November 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"Joy to the World" is a popular Christmas carol. The words are by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, based on the second half of 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. The nations are called to celebrate because God's faithfulness to the house of Israel has brought salvation to the world.
As of the late 20th century, "Joy to the World" was the most-published Christmas hymn in North America.
The music's origins are unclear. The name "Antioch" is generally used for the tune. It is often attributed to George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) on the grounds of a 'chance resemblance' to choruses in the oratorio Messiah (premiered 1742), not least because a theme of the refrain (And heaven and nature sing...) appears similar to the orchestral opening and accompaniment of the recitative Comfort ye. Likewise, the first four notes seem to match the beginning of the choruses Lift up your heads and Glory to God from the same oratorio. However, there is no autographed score by Handel and no currently known documentary evidence to suggest that Handel wrote it, so 'Antioch' remains, at best, a skillful collection of borrowings from Handel.
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" is a popular Christmas carol. The words are by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, based on the second half of 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. The nations are called to celebrate because God's faithfulness to the house of Israel has brought salvation to the world.
As of the late 20th century, "Joy to the World" was the most-published Christmas hymn in North America.
The music's origins are unclear. The name "Antioch" is generally used for the tune. It is often attributed to George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) on the grounds of a 'chance resemblance' to choruses in the oratorio Messiah (premiered 1742), not least because a theme of the refrain (And heaven and nature sing...) appears similar to the orchestral opening and accompaniment of the recitative Comfort ye. Likewise, the first four notes seem to match the beginning of the choruses Lift up your heads and Glory to God from the same oratorio. However, there is no autographed score by Handel and no currently known documentary evidence to suggest that Handel wrote it, so 'Antioch' remains, at best, a skillful collection of borrowings from Handel.
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
![Percy Faith & His Orchestra - Christmas Melodies [Full Album] (Capitol Records 1954, 1984)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YQmnLoKL8SI/mqdefault.jpg "Percy Faith & His Orchestra - Christmas Melodies [Full Album] (Capitol Records 1954, 1984)
Percy Faith (April 7, 1908 – February 9, 1976) was a Canadian bandleader, orchestrator, composer and conductor, known for his lush arrangements of pop and Christmas standards. He is often credited with popularizing the easy listening or mood music format. Faith became a staple of American popular music in the 1950s and continued well into the 1960s. Though his professional orchestra-leading career began at the height of the swing era, Faith refined and rethought orchestration techniques, including use of large string sections, to soften and fill out the brass-dominated popular music of the 1940s.
1 White Christmas 3:07
2 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) 2:44
3 Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer 2:23
4 Do You Hear What I Hear? 2:47
5 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:00
6 Silver Bells 3:17
7 We Need A Little Christmas (From The Musical Production Mame) 2:08
8 Ill Be Home For Christmas 3:55
9 The Little Drummer Boy 2:57
10 Happy Holiday 1:57
11 O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis) 4:05
12 Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly 2:51
13 Joy To The World 2:07
14 Silent Night, Holy Night 3:44
15 The First Noel 3:24
16 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 2:58
17 O Holy Night 3:44")
