The Story Behind The Classic…”Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

This, one of my favorites, was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie musical ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’. The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for a scene were Garland’s character, Esther, sings the bittersweet song to her little sister, trying to cheer her up as both lament their family’s move away from their hometown. But Garland and director Vincent Minnelli weren’t happy with Martin’s early, darker lyrics.

These included lines that Martin would later describe as ”hysterically lugubrious,” like ”Have yourself a merry little Christmas/It may be your last…. Faithful friends who were dear to us/Will be near to us no more.”

Martin initially refused to revise the lyrics, but a blue talking to from actor Tom Drake set him straight. “He said, ‘You stupid son of a bitch!'” Martin recollected, “‘You’re gonna foul up your life if you don’t write another verse of that song!”’ Ultimately, Martin gave the song a more hopeful leaning, first for the movie then again in 1957 at the request of Frank Sinatra. For Ol’ Blue Eyes, he changed “We’ll have to muddle through somehow” to the more jolly “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.” The song has since became a standard, in both forms. Enjoy, share and sing along! -Bobby Ellerbee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKG5X0QMSWA

From the movie “Meet me in St. Louis” (1944). Con Subtitulos en Español

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