The original lyrics of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

[onceaking]

Today I learnt the original lyrics were changed because it was too gloomy.

Here's the original:

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.

 

[onceaking]

I learnt about it by listening to this episode of the podcast Soul Music. Didn't realise it was so melancholy, but I can relate to it because Christmas nowadays are sad and the Christmas of the past was a lot happier. The only thing about Christmas that makes me happy nowadays is that I can watch football on Boxing Day.