I'll Be Home For Christmas
Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby Lyrics
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You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve'll find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
The song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" sung by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby is a heartwarming and melancholic tune that speaks to the homesickness and longing that many people have during the holiday season. The opening line "I'll Be Home for Christmas" sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer promises to be home for the holidays. The first verse acknowledges the important traditional elements of the holiday, such as snow, mistletoe, and presents, which are expected to be present in the singer's home. The singer's desire for a typical Christmas scene emphasizes the importance of family and tradition during this time of year.
The second verse continues the theme of longing for home and emphasizes the power of love to make a home feel complete. The image of the "love light" gleaming suggests the warmth and security that can be found in family and love, especially during the holiday season. However, the final line "If only in my dreams" reveals a sense of sadness and longing that cannot be fulfilled. Despite the promise to be home for Christmas, the singer is acknowledging that sometimes our dreams and reality do not align.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be home for Christmas
I promise to be present at home for Christmas
You can plan on me
You can depend on me, I won't let you down
Please have snow and mistletoe
I hope there will be snow and mistletoe decorations
And presents on the tree
I hope there will be Christmas gifts under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
On Christmas Eve, I'll be somewhere special
Where the love light gleams
Where love and warmth are present
I'll be home for Christmas
I will be making it home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Even if I can't physically make it home, I'll be there in my heart and thoughts
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: BUCK RAM, KIM GANNON, WALTER KENT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Harley Tutor
I’ll Be Home For Christmas was originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, and it quickly became one of America’s most popular holiday songs. The song is written from the perspective of a soldier serving over seas during World War 2. While the melody is one that lingers in our minds, the meaning of the song is actually quite somber as the closing line reveals that being home for Christmas isn’t quite a reality just yet.
The song particularly struck a nerve with overseas GIs and their families awaiting their return from serving their country in World War 2. The GI magazine said Crosby accomplished more for military morale than anyone else of that era.
The story goes that around Christmas in 1943 the chaplain on the Battleship North Carolina knew that the crew was feeling homesick as they were expected to still be overseas during the holiday season. He had an idea and collected $5 from every crew member that had children back home.
The chaplain made a list of all that gave him money for their children at home and he sent that money along with the addresses of the sailor’s home to Macy’s department store. The request was made for Macy’s to buy gifts using the money provided for the crew’s family and have the gift mailed to their homes in time for Christmas.
As Christmas approached, the service men on the ship gathered for the annual Christmas show that involved songs, skits and entertainment for the troops aboard the Battleship North Carolina. When the entertainment had ended, the chaplain had a surprise to reveal.
When Macy’s received the money from the chaplain along with the list of the addresses, they thought that in addition to just giving gifts to these military families at home, they should give a one of a kind gift to the soldiers as well. Since they had the addresses for all the sailors homes, they reached out to each family and asked if they wanted to come to the Macy’s store and send a special message to their loved one who would not be able to be home for Christmas.
The men aboard the Battleship North Carolina sat there and saw their wives, children and loved ones appear before them on the screen as Macy’s had videoed each of their families sending them a Christmas message. These rugged sailors watched, wept and rejoiced. They weren’t home for Christmas, but what made their homes special was the Christmas gift they received on that December 25th in 1943.
Harley Tutor
I’ll Be Home For Christmas was originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, and it quickly became one of America’s most popular holiday songs. The song is written from the perspective of a soldier serving over seas during World War 2. While the melody is one that lingers in our minds, the meaning of the song is actually quite somber as the closing line reveals that being home for Christmas isn’t quite a reality just yet.
The song particularly struck a nerve with overseas GIs and their families awaiting their return from serving their country in World War 2. The GI magazine said Crosby accomplished more for military morale than anyone else of that era.
The story goes that around Christmas in 1943 the chaplain on the Battleship North Carolina knew that the crew was feeling homesick as they were expected to still be overseas during the holiday season. He had an idea and collected $5 from every crew member that had children back home.
The chaplain made a list of all that gave him money for their children at home and he sent that money along with the addresses of the sailor’s home to Macy’s department store. The request was made for Macy’s to buy gifts using the money provided for the crew’s family and have the gift mailed to their homes in time for Christmas.
As Christmas approached, the service men on the ship gathered for the annual Christmas show that involved songs, skits and entertainment for the troops aboard the Battleship North Carolina. When the entertainment had ended, the chaplain had a surprise to reveal.
When Macy’s received the money from the chaplain along with the list of the addresses, they thought that in addition to just giving gifts to these military families at home, they should give a one of a kind gift to the soldiers as well. Since they had the addresses for all the sailors homes, they reached out to each family and asked if they wanted to come to the Macy’s store and send a special message to their loved one who would not be able to be home for Christmas.
The men aboard the Battleship North Carolina sat there and saw their wives, children and loved ones appear before them on the screen as Macy’s had videoed each of their families sending them a Christmas message. These rugged sailors watched, wept and rejoiced. They weren’t home for Christmas, but what made their homes special was the Christmas gift they received on that December 25th in 1943.
nam kim
Bài này được phát trên các radio sau giải phóng 30/4/1975 tại Việt Nam đó các bạn
jack hewitt
Thank you for sharing that a story like this gives this song a much deeper meaning.
Amanda Ferguson
Wow you got me tearing up. May 2020
Johnathan T
That was a really beautiful story.
Bemused Bandersnatch
That's a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing :)
GOAT Trader
My mom told me this song came out during World War 2 when my dad was somewhere in the Pacific. (1943) Eventually, dad did make it home for Christmas, (but not until 1946.) I was born in 1952. I miss you, mom and dad..
Shelly Waite
That's a wonderful story glad to hear that he did make it home for Christmas.
bonnibling
My favorite Christmas song, The best lyrics, and the association to the military being overseas during the holidays always brings tears to my eyes when I hear it, particularly since many of them wondered if they'd ever make it home at all.
windstorm1000
Wonderful,story