Bing Crosby - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Lyrics
Lyrics
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Let Your Heart Be Light
Next Year All Our Troubles Will Be Out Of Sight
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Make The Yuletide Gay
Next Year All Our Troubles Will Be Miles Away
Once again, as in Olden Days
Happy Golden Days Of Yore
Faithful Friends Who Are Dear To Us
Will Be Near To Us Once More
Someday soon, We All Will Be Together
If The Fates Allow
Until Then, We'll Have To Muddle Through Somehow
So Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Now
Video
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Remastered 2006)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on November 6, 2014, this remastered 2006 version of Bing Crosby's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" brings a timeless voice to a song that has become a beloved staple of the Christmas season. Though it wasn't originally conceived as a holiday tune, premiering in the 1944 musical "Meet Me in St. Louis" within a scene heavy with the sadness of separation, its poignant melody and lyrics quickly found their way into the broader Christmas cultural consciousness. The version popularized by Bing Crosby notably features slightly altered lyrics from the original, softening some of the initial melancholic edges and introducing lines that offer a touch more warmth and conventional festive imagery, shaping the song into the comforting piece many recognize today.
The core message of the song, especially in its more widely known variations like the one Crosby delivered, revolves around finding moments of warmth, connection, and simple joy in the present, while holding onto a quiet hope for a better future. The opening invitation, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas now," serves as a gentle call to embrace the current moment, encouraging a focus on the blessings at hand despite underlying uncertainties or past difficulties. From a believer's perspective, this resonates deeply with the Scriptural call to find joy not in perfect circumstances, but in the presence of God. Philippians 4:4-7 encourages rejoicing in the Lord always, reminding us that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, can guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Even amidst trials, we are called to find joy in the knowledge of God’s steadfastness and love, making the choice to have a "merry little Christmas" a reflection of placing our trust and finding our contentment in Him, regardless of outward circumstances.
The lines that look towards the future, such as "Next year all our troubles will be miles away," articulate a universal human longing for relief from hardship and a hope for brighter days. This hopeful outlook is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. While the song expresses a temporal hope based on the passage of time or changing fortunes, Scripture offers an eternal and certain hope grounded in God's promises. Jeremiah 29:11 declares God's plans for us – plans for welfare and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope. The anticipation in the song for a future free from troubles finds its ultimate fulfillment in the promise of God's new creation, described in Revelation 21:4, where He will wipe away every tear and death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more. This perspective transforms the song's simple wish into a contemplation of the profound, certain hope believers possess in Christ, whose coming we celebrate at Christmas.
Furthermore, the song touches upon the importance of human connection: "Faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us once more." This highlights the value of relationships, community, and mutual support, especially during significant times like the holidays. Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of fellowship among believers, urging us to gather together, encourage one another, and bear one another's burdens. Hebrews 10:24-25 calls us to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together. The warmth of cherished relationships mentioned in the song can be seen as a beautiful, though imperfect, reflection of the deep bonds and love God intends for His people, a love that flows from Him and binds us together in Christ.
Lastly, the iconic imagery of hanging "a shining star upon the highest bough" introduces a visual element of light and hope brought into the home. This simple act, a hallmark of Christmas decoration, carries rich symbolic weight when viewed through a faith lens. Christ is the true light who came into the world (John 1:9, 8:12), dispelling the darkness of sin and despair. As believers, we are called to be carriers of this light, shining in the world as witnesses to Him (Matthew 5:14-16). Hanging a star, a symbol associated with the star that guided the wise men to the Messiah, can serve as a reminder of Christ as the source of all true light and hope, an encouragement to welcome His light not just into our homes, but fully into our lives and hearts, making the Christmas season genuinely merry in the most meaningful sense. Thus, while not explicitly Christian, Bing Crosby's rendition of this classic, with its themes of present joy, future hope, community, and light, offers ample space for reflection on the deeper truths and promises celebrated during the season of Christ's birth, encouraging all who hear it to consider the true source of lasting peace and joy.