If We Make It Through December
Bryan and the Haggards Lyrics
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Everything's gonna be all right, I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the falling snow
If we make it through December
Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime
Maybe even California
If we make it through December, we'll be fine
Got laid off down at the factory
And their timing's not the greatest in the world
Heaven knows I been working hard
Wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl
I don't mean to hate December
It's meant to be the happy time of year
And my little girl don't understand
Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here
If we make it through December
Everything's gonna be all right, I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the falling snow
If we make it through December
Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime
Maybe even California
If we make it through December, we'll be fine
The song "If We Make it Through December" by Bryan and the Haggards is a poignant reflection on the struggles of making ends meet during the holiday season. The lyrics follow the story of a man who has recently been laid off from his job at a factory, struggling to provide for his daughter during Christmas time. The bleak winter weather and lack of resources only add to his despair, as he dreams of making it through the month and finding a better life in a warmer town come summertime.
The first verse introduces the desperation of the situation, with the man admitting that the falling snow and chilling wind of December make him shiver with fear. But he holds on to hope, reminding himself that "everything's gonna be all right, I know," if they can just hold out until the end of the month. The second verse delves deeper into the man's personal struggles, revealing that he had been working hard to provide for his daughter during the holidays, but has been let go by his employer. The line "Wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl" underscores the importance of family and tradition, and the pain of not being able to fulfill those expectations due to financial hardship.
Throughout the song, the refrain repeats the line "If we make it through December" as a sort of mantra, with the hope of a better future providing a sliver of optimism in an otherwise bleak situation. Despite the hardships faced by the singer, the song ultimately ends on a note of resilience, with the promise of a brighter future on the horizon.
Line by Line Meaning
If we make it through December
If we can survive this difficult month
Everything's gonna be all right, I know
I have hope that things will improve
It's the coldest time of winter
This is the most frigid part of the season
And I shiver when I see the falling snow
The cold weather is difficult to endure
Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime
I have a plan to move to a more temperate place when it gets warmer
Maybe even California
Specifically, I'm considering moving to California
Got laid off down at the factory
I lost my job at the factory
And their timing's not the greatest in the world
Losing my job has made the holiday season even harder
Heaven knows I been working hard
I've been putting in a lot of effort
Wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl
I wanted to make sure my daughter had a good Christmas
I don't mean to hate December
I don't want to dislike this month
It's meant to be the happy time of year
It's supposed to be a joyous season
And my little girl don't understand
My daughter doesn't comprehend our financial difficulties
Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here
She doesn't understand why we can't afford gifts or decorations
If we make it through December, we'll be fine
If we can persevere through this difficult month, we'll be okay
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Merle Haggard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger Randolph
A Merle Haggard fan from way back, I’d have to say that he’s smiling right now knowing the love and raw emotion you put into his song. Brought tears to my eyes!
usmcbrat2
Simply beautiful! Placed on my important playlists. :)
Dan Odea
Great song and awesome vocal and guitar!
Doug Parent
thanks guys.