Wherever you are, I hope you will be home for Christmas.
Supposedly the genesis for the song, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was written by a 16-year-old homesick college student. Prior to his published release of the song, he had discussed the song with two acquaintances in a bar. He left a copy with them. The song, was recorded in 1943, sixty-seven years ago by Bing Crosby. It bore the names of Kent, Gannon and Ram as creators of the song. Interestingly enough, Buck Ram was later the force behind the famous group The Platters. Ram penned such classic songs as “Only you,” “The Magic Touch,” “Remember When,” “Twilight Time” and other Platter hits. Think about the monies from the rights to those lyrics.
The song was a huge hit when it came on the scene in 1943, WWII. American boys were scattered all over the world for that effort and so many of them wishing “They were home for Christmas.”
The song carries a special meaning and feeling for me and my family. I can’t help but think of a young, about-to-be mother, who at the time was living in Chicago. Her husband, Frank was somewhere in the Pacific Ocean as a member of the US Navy. December 19, 1943 found this mother-to-be without her husband or family. She was all alone. A country at war, a husband at sea and she was about to bring a baby into this world. At 7:07 p.m. sixty-seven years ago tonight, in the Roseland Community Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, Margaret White, my mother-in- law, delivered a 7.25 pound baby girl. She named her Barbara Lee. I bet her father (Frank) wished...
I’m dreamin’ tonight of a place I love,
even more than I usually do.
And although I know it’s a long road back, I promise you
I’ll be home for Christmas you can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me where the love light beams.
I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.
And that is what it was for millions of people that Christmas, December 19, 1943. Just a wish that they could be home.
I hope you will be home for Christmas.
December 19, 2010
Keep on,
Larry Adamson