"JOY TO THE WORLD!" (1719)

The lyrics to "JOY TO THE WORLD" were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts as a paraphrase of the final verses of Psalm 98, and not as a Christmas hymn. It has become, nevertheless, one of the most treasured hymns of Christmas. The music has been harder to identify. It is widely believed that the music ANTIOCH was composed by George Frederic Handel in 1741, from his Oratorio the Messiah, yet it was ultimately arranged by Lowell Mason in the early 19th Century. There is no unanimity of opinion. It is in the Public domain.