We Need A Little Christmas Now

 

"Haul Out The Holly

Put Up The Tree Before My Spirit Falls Again

Fill Up The Stocking 

I May Be Rushing Things, But Deck The Halls Again Now...

We Need A Little Christmas Now"

These are the words in a song from the musical 'Mame'. It's a song that isn't sung at Christmas time but "two weeks before the 4th of July". I have never seen the musical 'Mame' and yet I know the words to this song by heart thanks to the folks at the Inn at Sawmill Farm. 

Fifty years ago, the first winter I worked at the Inn at Sawmill Farm, I was exposed to this song a number of times every night. They had an upright player piano in the bar that used paper rolls for reproducing the music and the staff, Williams family members, and Inn guests provided the lyrics. You couldn't help but sing along too.

It is a jaunty song about hope and redemption. When you are twenty-five, you know everything and no one can tell you anything. You are cynical about other people's motives and life in general. There is a line in 'Mame' - "Life is a banquet and most poor bastards are starving to death." That was a perfect description of me. This song made me forget all that. 

"For I've Grown A Little Leaner, Growner A Little Colder

Grown A Little Sadder, Grown A Little Older

And I Need A Little Angel Sitting On My Shoulder

Need A Little Christmas Now"

I like other Christmas songs - White Christmas, Underneath The Tree, All I Want For Christmas Is You and the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah. Sally and I heard an unseen boys choir singing Silent Night in The Nave of Saint Peter's Basilica after walking through the Porta Santa. This was at the turn of the millennium and that was truly awe inspiring. No song affects me like "We Need A Little Christmas". I don't know if it was because when I first heard it i was happy skiing in Vermont and working and playing with the great people at the Inn at Sawmill Farm. I'm not sure. I do know it makes me believe in Christmas. It gives me hope. 

At my age, I don't know how many Christmases I have left. A year is a long time and anything can happen. There are a lot of evils in the world. I'm old so I worry about things like that. I have come to the realization that I don't know everything and never did. I see all the inhumane acts man is capable of and become disheartened. When I hear "We Need A Little Christmas", no matter what time of the year, even "two weeks before the 4th of July", I become hopeful. Some people have accused me of being an "old softie". Maybe I am. 

Thank you, "Bo" and the rest of the William's Family. 

"For We Need A Little Music, Need A Little Laughter

Need A Little Singing Ringing Through The Rafters

And We Need A Little Snappy, Happy Ever After

We Need A Little Christmas Now"