The text of Joy to the World was written by Isaac Watts, an English hymnwriter who lived from 1674 to 1748. Watts wrote several hundred hymns in his life, and he was also a tutor and pastor of Church of Christ in London. In 1728 he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from University of Edinburgh.
The music of Joy to the World is often attributed to the famous baroque composer George Frideric Handel. However, the song was most likely composed by the American musician and educator Lowell Mason. Mason quoted the opening phrase of “Lift up your heads” from Handel’s Messiah in his setting of Joy to the World, but the rest of the music was his own composition.
Select the song image below for a printable PDF of Joy to the World, or Joy to the World sheet music with lyrics. Scroll down for more versions of the carol in several other keys. You can also view and print the lyrics to Joy to the World without the music. Scroll down further for the carol in different keys.
For a countdown to Christmas, visit the How Many Days Until Christmas page. The Two Happy Bears are excited about the holiday and are eagerly counting every second!
You can also practice all of your Christmas music with a sleigh bell metronome!
More keys! Select a link below for a printable PDF of Joy to the World in any of the following keys.
Joy to the World for band instruments
Joy to the World for string instruments
Joy to the World for recorder
Joy to the World for piano
In the key of A (higher version)
In the key of A (lower version)
In the key of B flat (higher version)
In the key of B flat (lower version)
In the key of C
In the key of D
In the key of E flat
In the key of F
In the key of G (higher version)
In the key of G (lower version)
In the key of A
In the key of B flat
In the key of C (higher version)
In the key of C (lower version)
In the key of D (higher version)
In the key of D (lower version)
In the key of E flat
In the key of F
In the key of G
In the key of A
In the key of B flat
In the key of C
In the key of D
In the key of E flat
In the key of F
In the key of G
Christmas Music Books • Two Happy Bears • Days Till Christmas • Newsletter
Christmas music for selected instruments
Select an image below to view and print Christmas songs written for each instrument.
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Lyrics
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Table of Contents for the Christmas Song Lead Sheets:
Angels We Have Heard on High
Auld Lang Syne
Away In a Manger
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Deck the Hall
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
The First Noel
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
Good King Wenceslas
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Here We Come A-Wassailing
The Holly and the Ivy
I Saw Three Ships
In Dulci Jubilo
In the Bleak Midwinter
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Jingle Bells (short easy version)
Jingle Bells (full version)
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Joy to the World
O Christmas Tree
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Holy Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Patapan
Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agréable
Silent Night
Toyland
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Up on the Housetop
We Three Kings
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
What Child Is This?
More Music and Educational Materials by Kyle Coughlin:
Learn about rhythm and improve your skills: Rhythm-In-Music.com
Free online metronomes that speak the beat: MusicAllTheTime.com
Sleigh Bell Metronome
Free blank sheet music paper: Music-Paper.com
Clarinet fingering charts and instruction: TheClarinet.net
Kyle Coughlin’s Publications