Have Yourself a Merry Little

    Christmas

    Artist: Sam Smith

    Have yourself a merry little Christmas

    Let your heart be light

    From now on

    Your troubles will be out of sight

    Have yourself a merry little Christmas

    Make the yuletide gay

    From now on

    Your 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

    So have yourself a merry little Christmas

    Have yourself a merry little Christmas

    So have yourself a merry little Christmas now

    Background

    “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is a song introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics. The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. It has since become a popular Christmas song. In the musical, a family is distraught by the father’s plans to move to New York City for a job promotion, leaving behind their beloved home in St. Louis, Missouri, just before the long-anticipated 1904 World’s Fair begins. In a scene set on Christmas Eve, Judy Garland’s character, Esther, sings the song to cheer up her 5-year-old sister Tootie.

    Sam Smith recently released a soulful version of the song. It has a quiet, a cappella opening. As the piano joins in, the song remains hauntingly beautiful but obviously not in the traditional Christmas party atmosphere.