*************** JOY TO THE WORLD ************************** The story of the carol : Joy to the World 1. Handel composes the Messiah George Handel composed the Messiah, in Germany, when he was about 56 years old (1741). Although he was a very successful musician, He wanted to write something special - something that would bring much joy to all who heard it. (tune - Antioch C.M. rep.) 2. Isaac Watts writes the words Meanwhile in England, a man named Isaac Watts was writing hymns. People especially liked his hymn based on Psalm 98 which was a message of joy and celebration to the world. 3. Lowell Mason creates the "joyous" carol Almost a hundred years later , Lowell Mason ( a composer ) found Watts' poem of joy and looked for the proper music to use with the words. He came upon a beautiful melody in Handel's Messiah , and set the poem to the music, creating the carol "Joy to the World" (1839). click on "Back" on your broswer to return to "Joy to the World"