A popular favorite Christmas song both on radio play-lists and at family and community sing-alongs, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" has an interesting history that has seen its tone and purpose completely reversed.
History of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
According to the UK site Carols.org, "The heart warming Christmas song 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' was immortalised by Judy Garland.. and brought tears to the eyes of the audience."
The song was originally written by for a scene in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). Ralph Blane is credited with the lyric and "the haunting music was composed by Hugh Martin," says Carols.org.
In the movie, the family is upset by a proposed move to New York, and on Christmas Eve the teenaged Esther – played by songstress Judy Garland – sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to cheer up her younger sister, Tootie, played by Margaret O'Brien.
How "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was Turned Around
The original lyrics expressed the sadness the girls felt at leaving their home, combined with hope for the future, hence the "haunting melody".
Here's the original: "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. " (© 1944, MGM Music)
The line "it may be your last" was considered too gloomy, and a rewrite was requested. Various artists including Garland and Frank Sinatra requested further changes over the years to "brighten up" the song, and it is the brightened version that remains popular today.
Lyrics and Guitar Chords for Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Most lyric sites with guitar chords have "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in the key of G, which is fine for singers in soprano and baritone ranges but a bit high for average groups. The song is given here in D, with the Sinatra version of the lyric.
D........... Bm7.. Em7......... D
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
D .........Bm ........Em7........... D
Let your heart be light
D............ Bm ......C...................A...C...F#.... B7.... Em7.... A
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
D.............Bm7...Em7...........D
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
D.............Bm7 .......Em7...A
Make the Yule-tide gay
D.............Bm.........Em7............F#.......Bm......G
From now on our troubles will be miles away
Bridge
Gmaj7.A#maj7. ....F#m7 ........E/G#
Here we are as in olden days
...........Em7...........A...D
Happy golden days of yore
Bm.......F#7.................F#m7
Faithful friends who are dear to us
..............A............E.........A
Gather near to us once more
D............... Bm7.... Em7............ D
Through the years we all will be together
D......Bm7....Em7 D
If the fates allow.
D...........Bm.....Em7...............B..........Bm....D
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
........G...................Em7............A .............D
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Other Songs for Guitar
Thomas Alan Gray - Tom has been writing for over 30 years; curiosity leads him to dig into a wide variety of topics.
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