Edited below.
Judy Garland sings the original “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” from the 1944 musical film “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
A footnote on the lyrics: originally they were really downbeat:
ORIGINAL VERSION
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
Ouch, the original words are tough. “Next year all our troubles will be out of sight…” I’ve sung that song for years and the only words you hear now are, “From now on our troubles will be…” This is MUCH more pointed.
And instead of “Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow”, you now get, “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough”! Thanks for sharing this.
Also, damn, she was good.