Gleason could not read or write music in a conventional sense; he was said to have conceived melodies in his head and described them vocally to staff help. He did likewise with the well-remembered themes of both The Jackie Gleason Show ("Melancholy Serenade") and The Honeymooners ("You're My Greatest Love"). There has been some controversy over the years as to how much credit Gleason should have received for the finished products; it has been written that beyond the possible conceptualizing of many of the songs, Gleason had no direct involvement such as conducting in the making of these recordings. However, his main musical companion, cornetist and trumpeter Bobby Hackett once said: "Jackie knows a lot more about music than people give him credit for. I have seen him conduct a sixty-piece orchestra and detect one discordant note in the brass section. He would immediately stop the music and locate the wrong note. It always amazed the professional musicians how a guy who technically did not know one note from another could do that. And he was never wrong."
Born February 26, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He died on June 24, 1987
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Jackie Gleason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This time for sure
To have and hold you baby
Hold you in my arms
I'll be home this Christmas
This time for sure
I'll be there to comfort you
Lovin' you so tenderly
Oh just you wait and see
My heart will be for ever more
Yours till eternity
I'll be home this Christmas
For sure this time
You're everything I dreaming of
I'll be home this Christmas time
I'll be home this Christmas
This time for sure
To have and hold you baby
Forever this Christmas time
You're everything I dreaming of
I'll be home this Christmas time
Forever this Christmas time
I'll be home this Christmas time
The lyrics to Jackie Gleason's song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" express a sense of longing and desire to be home with a loved one during the holiday season. The repetition of the phrase "This time for sure" adds emphasis to the singer's determination to be there this year, after perhaps having been away in the past. The lyrics express the desire to hold and comfort the loved one, to hold them forever, and to love them tenderly.
The line "You're everything I'm dreaming of" conveys the depth of the singer's love and desire for the person they are singing to. The repetition of the phrase "I'll be home this Christmas time" at the end of the song drives home the message that being together during this special time of year is of utmost importance.
The song was originally written in 1943 by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, and first recorded by Bing Crosby. It became an instant classic, touching the hearts of many during a time of war when soldiers were separated from their families. The song has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Michael Bublé.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be home this Christmas
I am certain that I will be home for Christmas
This time for sure
I have let you down in the past, but I promise this time I will be there
To have and hold you baby
I want to be close to you and show my affection towards you
Hold you in my arms
I want to physically embrace you
I'll be there to comfort you
I want to provide emotional support
Hold you for ever more
I want to keep you close to me forever
Lovin' you so tenderly
I will show you love and affection in a gentle manner
Oh just you wait and see
I am eager to show you my love and affection, just wait and see
My heart will be for ever more
My love for you will last forever
Yours till eternity
I will love you forever
For sure this time
Without a doubt, I will be there this Christmas
You're everything I dreaming of
You are my dream come true, and everything I could ever want
Forever this Christmas time
This Christmas, and every Christmas after, I will be with you forever
I'll be home this Christmas time
I will be home for Christmas, and I can't wait to be with you
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kim Gannon, Walter Kent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind