Christmas Music: Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas a été popularisée par l’acteur et chanteur américain du nom de Burl Ives, reconnu pour son impressionnant répertoire de chansons. Certes, il ne fut pas le premier à avoir interprété celle-ci, mais seule sa version connut un énorme succès, lequel tourne encore sur les ondes radiophoniques pendant la période des fêtes. Cette song a été écrite par Johnny Marks, auteur-compositeur se spécialisant dans les chansons de Christmas, et auquel on attribue d’autres grands classiques, tels que Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, et I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Enregistrée pour la toute première fois par The Quinto Sisters en 1962, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas demeura néanmoins dans l’ombre jusqu’à ce que Burl Ives lui prête sa voix.
From then on, the song became famous, first in the United States, and then spread to other continents. Recorded on a single, whose B-side included another, albeit lesser-known, song, and called Silver and Gold, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas rose to become a traditional Christmas song, and remains so today. It is also the title of a Christmas album, recorded by Burl Ives, which features several other great classics, including Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland and White Christmas. It can also be heard in a few films, such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, to name just one.
Other artists have also recorded "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas," but none have matched the success of Burl Ives. These artists include Andy Williams, Alan Jackson, and a few well-known country singers, such as Gary Lewis and Moe Bandy. To this day, there is no French translation of this popular Christmas song.
Words
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow,
But have a cup of cheer.
Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas;
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet.
Oh, ho, the mistletoe
Hung where you can see;
Someone is waiting for you;
Kiss her once for me.
Have a holly jolly Christmas,
And in case you didn't hear,
Oh by golly, have a holly,
Jolly Christmas this year