Holly Jolly Christmas (Day Two)

I've been running into Burl Ives's “Holly Jolly Christmas” everywhere, it seems, this year. I like the song in and of itself as just a light hearted song. I also like it because it reminds me of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” which in my estimation, is one of the two greatest Christmas specials. Yes, it has no redeeming point in terms of reminding people of the reason for the season, but it has held a special place to me from the earliest I can remember such programs. The original “It's Christmas, Charlie Brown” might be the other great, and it of course does very much emphasize our need to focus on the reason for the season.

But, that's getting off track. Today, “Holly Jolly Christmas” is my Christmas song pick. It should be sung by Burl Ives. Others are mere imitators.

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
Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't here
Oh by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year

—Johnny Marks