Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., (John Denver) was born in Roswell, New Mexic… Read Full Bio ↴Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., (John Denver) was born in Roswell, New Mexico, to Erma Louise Swope and Henry John Deutschendorf, Sr., an Air Force officer and flight instructor of German ancestry. At the age of 12, Denver received a 1910 Gibson acoustic jazz guitar from his grandmother. He learned to play well enough to perform at local clubs by the time he was in college. He adopted the surname "Denver" after the capital of his favorite state, Colorado. Attending high school in Fort Worth, Texas was a distressing experience for the alienated Denver. In his third year of high school, he took his father's car and ran away to California to visit family friends and pursue a musical career. His father flew to California to retrieve him, and Denver returned to finish high school. Denver dropped out of the School of Engineering (Architecture) at Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) in Lubbock, Texas, in 1963, and moved to Los Angeles, California, where he sang in the smoky underground folk clubs. In 1965, Denver joined the Chad Mitchell Group, a folk group that had been renamed "The Mitchell Trio" prior to Chad Mitchell's departure and before Denver's arrival, and then "Denver, Boise, and Johnson" (John Denver, David Boise, and Michael Johnson). In 1969, Denver abandoned the band life to pursue a solo career, and released his first album for RCA Records, Rhymes and Reasons. It was not a huge hit, but it contained "Leaving On A Jet Plane," which was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary two years prior when Mitchell Trio manager Milt Okun had brought the unrecorded Denver song to the high-profile folk group. Soon after the John Denver version was released, the Peter, Paul and Mary version hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Although RCA did not actively promote the album with a tour, Denver himself embarked on an impromptu supporting tour throughout the Midwest, stopping at towns and cities as the fashion took him, offering to play free concerts at local venues. When he was successful in convincing a school, college, American Legion Hall, or local coffee-house to let him play, he would spend a day or so postering the town and could usually be counted upon to show up at the local radio station, guitar in hand, offering himself for an interview. With the foot-in-the-door of having authored "Leaving On A Jet Plane," he was often successful in gaining some valuable promotional airtime, usually featuring one or two songs performed live. Some venues would let him play for the "door"; others restricted him to selling copies of the album at intermission and after the show. After several months of this constant low-key touring schedule, however, he had sold enough albums to convince RCA to take a chance on extending his recording contract. He had also built a sizable and solid fan base, many of whom remained loyal throughout his career. His album Poems, Prayers, and Promises (released in 1971), was a breakthrough for him in the U.S., thanks in part to the single "Take Me Home Country Roads," which went to #2 on the Billboard charts despite the first pressings of the track being distorted. Its success was due in part to the efforts of his new manager, future Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub, who signed Denver in 1970. Weintraub insisted on a re-issue of the track and began a radio-airplay campaign that started in Denver, Colorado. Denver's career flourished from then on, and he had a series of hits over the next four years. In 1972, Denver scored his first Top Ten album with Rocky Mountain High, with its title track reaching the Top Ten in 1973. Between 1974 and 1975, Denver experienced an impressive chart dominance, with a string of four #1 songs ("Sunshine On My Shoulders," "Annie's Song," "Thank God I'm A Country Boy," and "I'm Sorry"). Denver was also a guest star on The Muppet Show, the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Denver and Jim Henson that spawned two television specials with The Muppets.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas
John Denver & the Muppets Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Okay everybody, here we go)

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year

Now bring us a figgy pudding

(Piggy pudding?)
No, Figgy pudding, it's made with figs (oh sorry)
and bacon (what?)

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year

We won't go until we get some (won't go, won't go)
We won't go until we get some (won't go, won't go)
We won't go until we get some (won't go, won't go, Animal, sit, bad))
So bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year

Overall Meaning

John Denver’s “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” is a classic Christmas song that brings back the holiday spirit year after year. The song has a clear and simple message, and that is to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The upbeat and joyful tune at the beginning signifies the notion of spreading the holiday cheer, and it sets the mood for the rest of the song. It is a song that expresses the joy and love in the hearts of many during the Christmas season.

The lyrics move on to express the wish that the listeners have a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year. The song speaks to the idea that Christmas is a time for celebration, and it is a time to share the love and joy with family and friends. The next few lines introduce the idea of figgy pudding. The lyrics are a little confusing as they mention bacon, but figgy pudding is a dessert made of figs, and it dates back to the 16th century England. This dessert is so popular that people would actually refuse to leave until they are served some.

Finally, the song concludes with a celebratory chorus, wishing all the listeners once again a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - the classic sentiments of the holiday season. The lyrics and melody of the song remind us that Christmas is a time for joy, warmth, and love.

Line by Line Meaning

We wish you a Merry Christmas
The singer is expressing their sincere desire for everyone to have a joyful Christmas season

And a happy New Year
Along with wishing a happy Christmas, the singer extends their wishes for happiness in the upcoming year

Now bring us a figgy pudding
The singer is requesting for a festive dessert, specifically one made with figs and bacon

We won't go until we get some (won't go, won't go)
The singer is being playful and slightly demanding, stating they will not leave until they are provided with some of the desired dessert

So bring some out here
Continuing the playful tone, the singer specifically calls for the dessert to be brought to them

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Art Harris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@JamesLandon

2y↑25

Gonzo: Now bring us a figgy pudding, now-
Ms. Piggy: PIGGY PUDDING?!
Gonzo: No, no - Figgy pudding! It's made with figs.
Ms. Piggy: Oh, sorry!
Gonzo: And bacon.
Ms. Piggy: What?

@richardhernandez4490

19w↑3

I can picture Miss Piggy doing a HI-YA! to Gonzo. LOL

@cards0486

3y↑29

For three years after John Denver died I couldn’t listen to this album. The TV special, and this soundtrack are two of my most joyous Christmas memories.

@sansational15

3y↑29

The "We won't go until we get some" always cracks me up.

@mikemickypeterdavy

2y↑12

Won't go! Won't go! Won't go!

@charmanderlover6433

@@mikemickypeterdavy Animal, sit! Bad!

@robertdantonio9691

Animal sit

@annikabergeson2597

46w↑2

⁠ANIMAL, SIT!!!

@michaelthomas9541

1y↑4

This was our family's 'go to' Christmas music in the 90s. We listened to it coming back from Thanksgiving until going to my aunt's house for Christmas. I LOVE every second of this album. It really IS my youth.

@stephaniewelch9306

18w↑1

Had the LO as a kid. A must every year

@crystaledwards6610

4y↑22

I've never heard this version until this year. This is too cute. I wish it was a little long,but I still enjoy it every time I hear it.

@snuffleupagus1617

10y↑44

A family tradition for us. A Muppet Christmas with the late, great John Denver. Thanks for posting these songs!

@heathermetz3974

5y↑44

0:40 Animal, “won’t go”, John Denver, “animal sit, bad!”

@RodneytheOperaRat

1y↑5

I heard this on the radio I’m like
I LOVE THE MUPPETS❤❤

@superdoglover1659

4y↑11

Finally!! I was looking for this forever!!I heard this once or twice on the radio and I finally found it!!

@triciasennyk3067

4y↑8

I love this! i grew up listening to the muppets Christmas songs.

@furrantee

13y↑95

Figgy pudding. It's made with figs....oh sorry......and bacon. What! *have to laugh at that.*

@barbperry1243

18w↑2

Best part! And Animal yelling Won’t Go

@williamwilkinson6665

20w↑1

Won't go , won't go, WON'T GO!!!

@charmanderlover6433

1y↑3

John Denver's compusure while Animal is going nuts in the background and his friend is yelling commands at hi like a dog cracks me up every time. That and the "piggy pudding." In all technicality, Miss Piggy wasn't wrong....

@robinmimms2168

2y↑5

It was miss piggy’s “.....what” for me 😂😂😂😂😂

@siraran2077

1y↑5

Miss Piggy: Piggy pudding?
Gonzo: No, figgy pudding. It’s made with figs.
Miss Piggy: Oh, sorry.
Gonzo: And bacon.
Miss Piggy: What?

@nerdylady9942

4y↑5

Man, this is my favorite one on the cassette!

@captomkohl238

9y↑25

"Now bring us a figgy pudding now piggy pudding no it's figgy pudding it's made with figs and bacon what"😂😂😂

@vickenator

2y↑2

That little "......What?" gets me everytime.

@snootzie78

3y↑5

0:35 Won't go, won't go, won't go!!!! LMAO

@brianlipensky1722

3y↑5

Me: "Suddenly I'm in the mood for figgy pudding."
Miss Piggy. "WHAT!?! KEEEEEEEEEEYAH!"

@heatherrockwell9012

7y↑18

won't go
Won't go
WON'T GO

@nick-dc3xu

7y↑6

ANIMAL SIT, BACK

@JimSerp

2y↑1

this is a certified hood classic

@CannibalLecter

8y↑95

It's made with Figs
oh okay
...and bacon...
WAT

@MrJamieMurph4141969

4y↑3

Miss Piggy is SO HILARIOUS there, all like,"PIGGY PUDDING?" And Gonzo:"NO! FIGGY pudding!" Miss Piggy:"Oh,WHEW!" Gonzo:"And BACON,TOO!" Piggy:"WHAT WAS THAT?!" We all know it's simply Gonzo's way of teasing her, of even making fun of Miss Piggy for being so "ignorant and naive" by thinking the lyrics could possibly be "piggy pudding, and bacon."

@mevb

3y↑1

@@MrJamieMurph4141969 Actually it's...
Miss Piggy: Oh. Sorry.
Gonzo: And bacon.
Miss Piggy What?

@wyman36

10y↑24

I also like that part where Gonzo or whoever says "Figgy pudding" and Miss Piggy thinks he said "Piggy pudding". I told my friend Todd about that and he just cracked up. He really thought it was funny.

@colbyoz3388

10y

It was Gonzo.

@RobertNielsen1970

9y↑8

Colby Oz They played that on a local talk show the other day (as buffer music), and when I heard Gonzo say, "and bacon." I just cracked up laughing. :)

@shanesetnor5320

If it's the same Todd I know, that checks out.

@toddmiller3716

3y↑1

All Todd's find it funny

@soylentteal

4y↑9

Never mind the piggy pudding. Bring me a Denver omelet.

@robertdantonio9691

26w↑3

I like when animal yells won’t go

@Megan-1014

17w↑1

I'm pretty sure that this song is one of the reasons that Animal is my favorite Muppet! 😁

@abrock4052

16w

That's the best part!

@aemiliacarolphonetube9749

3y↑2

This sounds so cute

@Kelski1998

8y↑9

WONT GO. WONT GO

@stringtheories9820

WONT GO! WONT GO!!

@edwardflasch8426

4y↑3

Great"evergreen"& funny, too-thanks to Jim Henson & Muppets!

@mikemickypeterdavy

4y↑3

WON’T GO!!!

@JoshFreilich

ANIMAL, SIT!!! Back!

@chrislargent1725

4y↑1

Won’t go, won’t go, won’t go, won’t go

@henrydeutchendorf9918

11y↑4

Yeah, that is funny. I laugh every year

@Pinballtec

13y↑1

Thank you for the quality audio

@izzieluv

11y↑4

Won't go!!!!!

@TameraJacobs

11y↑6

Wont go. wont go. Animal sit!

@mattheweskender7781

3y↑1

Kermit the Frog: Okay, everybody. Here we go. 0:07

@verdellcouncil6616

5y↑2

That bacon good side diss

@user-ew6ky3go7q

This needs more cowbell.
Strike that, it's been perfect for decades. I think a large cowbell at the end is part of this song. Gonna listen to this once more then move to Mahna mahna… doo doo doo-doo

@Valkyrie.....11111

i found this w/ spotify :)

@poodlecrossing7731

Shcool memories

@tcg542

Bono!

@esthervanderlinden1754

Very goot

@esthervanderlinden1754

Gooooooooooooooood

@anneh7611

@medTN360

December 2019?
bhop_m_xmas ❤

@sjd0356

3y↑1

Piggy pudding 😂😂

@tcg542

4y↑2

It’s made with figgys oh sorry and bacon What?

@mikemickypeterdavy

2y↑1

And bacon. What?

@taylormurray9417

For Bridgette: this makes me miss carolers, but it also makes me wonder --- what exactly IS figgy pudding? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a-j1wHcaAg