Written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1943, this Christmas tune was born during Hollywood's golden era. Judy Garland first sang it in a scene from the movie "Meet Me In St Louis" in 1944. The truth is - it was a sad scene that portrayed Judy comforting her younger sister. It was not a "merry" Christmas after all. And so the song goes as sung and performed from Judy's perspective at the time -
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
It may be your last.
Next year we may all be living in the past.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Pop that champagne cork.
Next year we may all be living in New York.
No good times like the olden days.
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who were dear to us.
Will be near to us no more.
But at least we all will be together.
If the Lord allows.
From now on, we’ll have to muddle through somehow.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
This Christmas song evolved through the years from the time of its inception into a jazz standard and then into a popular Yuletide carol. It was covered by jazz legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme and Nat King Cole, as well as contemporary artists like The Carpenters, James Taylor, Bette Midler, Michael Bublé, Sam Smith, Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, Human Nature, and many others. In our post-modern world, we have tweaked the words of this song to reflect what Christmas really means to us. And so we sing -
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on
Our troubles will be out of sight.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on
Our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now!
IHET wishes one and all a very merry Christmas and a new year full of happiness, health and hope!
