"I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams."
This was written at the height of World War II, giving the song a built-in melancholy. After all, in the end, the singer will only be home "in my dreams." And for families whose loved ones were service members, there was a special poignancy, particularly if the loved one would not be returning home, not at Christmas and perhaps enver. Bing Crosby remains the definitive singer on this – as well as on some other classic holiday songs, and he manages to make this original version sound pretty cheerful, or at least pretty hopeful. Other worthy renditions are Elvis' version, and more recently, Kelly Clarkson, who does the song as a nice, slow waltz.
I'll be home for Christmas;
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.
No comments:
Post a Comment