Happy Xmas
- John Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Happy Christmas Julian)
So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (war is over)
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
The rich and the poor ones (war is over)
The road is so long (now)
And so Happy Christmas (war is over)
For black and for white (if you want it)
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Let's stop all the fight (now)
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (war is over)
And what have we done? (If you want it)
Another year over (war is over)
And a new one just begun (now)
And so Happy Christmas (war is over)
We hope you had fun (if you want it)
The near and the dear ones (war is over)
The old and the young (now)
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas
John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War is Over) is a song about hope and peace, calling for listeners to reflect on the progress made over the past year and to look forward to a more hopeful and peaceful future. The opening lines reference John's children, Kyoko and Julian, and set the scene for the reflective tone of the song. The first verse continues with an observation of the passing year, acknowledging progress made and beginning anew. John wishes his listeners a happy Christmas and new year, hoping that the coming year will be free from fear and conflict.
The second verse is a call to action, imploring listeners to recognize that the road to peace is long and difficult, but that we can achieve it if we want it badly enough. The message is inclusive, inviting everyone to work together to stop the fighting and embrace peace. The song ends with a repetition of the opening lines and the iconic phrase "War is over, if you want it," reminding us that peace is possible if we make it a priority.
Happy Xmas (War is Over) was intended to be a Christmas song that could also serve as a vehicle for a larger message of peace and social justice. John Lennon and Yoko Ono released the song in 1971, during a tumultuous time in American history that included the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, and the struggles of the counterculture. The song's message and simple melody have made it a perennial favorite, covered by countless artists in the decades since its release.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas
The start of Christmas has arrived
And what have you done?
Reflecting upon last year, what have you accomplished?
Another year over
The milestone of another year is complete
And a new one just begun
A fresh year just started
And so this is Christmas
The start of Christmas has arrived
I hope you have fun
Wishing for enjoyable celebrations
The near and the dear ones
Those we hold closely
The old and the young
People of all ages
A very Merry Christmas
Wishing an extremely joyful Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Wishing a joyous start to the new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Wishing and praying for an enjoyable year
Without any fear
Hoping for a peaceful year without any fear in people's hearts
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
Everyone, whether weak or strong, can attain peace; but only if they truly desire it
The rich and the poor ones (war is over)
Peace affects everyone, regardless of their wealth status
The road is so long (now)
The journey to peace (and change) will be long
For black and for white (if you want it)
Everyone, whether black or white, can attain peace; but only if they truly desire it
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Peace affects people of all races and ethnicities
Let's stop all the fight (now)
We should put an end to all the fighting and bring about peace immediately
And what have we done? (If you want it)
As a society, we need to evaluate what progress we have made towards achieving peace
We hope you had fun (if you want it)
Wishing everyone an enjoyable holiday period; although, this is only possible if they truly desire the same
War is over, if you want it
Peace is possible, but we must all truly desire and work towards it
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Wishing for a joyful Christmas
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Wishing for a joyful Christmas
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Wishing for a joyful Christmas
Happy Christmas
Wishing for a joyful Christmas
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind