The name 'Antioch' is generally used for the tune. However, Handel did not compose the entire tune. The music was adapted and arranged to Watts' lyrics by Lowell Mason in 1839 from an older melody which was then believed to have originated from Handel, not least 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, and the first four notes match the beginning of the choruses Lift up your heads and Glory to God from the same oratorio. Only the second half of Watts' lyrics are still used today. 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 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. The words are by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. 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. 'Joy to the World' is a popular Christmas carol. Joy to the World, the Savior 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.

Is joy to key free