Happy Christmas/War is over
John Lennon Lyrics


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(Happy Christmas Kyoko)
(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
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
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
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red one
Let's stop all the fight

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
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
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
War is over, if you want it
War is over now

La, la, ah, ah
Happy Christmas




Happy Christmas (happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (happy Christmas)

Overall Meaning

John Lennon's song "Happy Christmas/War is over" was written as a message of peace during the Vietnam War. The opening lyrics directly address his son Julian and Yoko Ono's daughter Kyoko, wishing them a happy Christmas. Lennon uses the holiday as an opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed and the hopes for the upcoming year. Lennon wants his listeners to have fun and enjoy time with their loved ones. However, the song's tone shifts as Lennon mentions the world's wrongs and the need for peace.


Lennon sees Christmas as a time for everyone, regardless of their race or class, to come together and stop fighting. He urges his listeners to make the holiday a time to put their differences aside and to stop the violence that was taking place. The lyrics of the song become political as Lennon speaks directly to the idea of war, declaring that it's over if people want it to be. The repetition of the phrase "War is over" underscores the song's anti-war message and its message of hope. By the end of the song, Lennon is wishing his listeners a happy holiday and a good new year, but with the added emphasis on the importance of striving for peace.


Line by Line Meaning

So this is Christmas
It's currently the Christmas season


And what have you done
What accomplishments or actions have you undertaken in the past year?


Another year over
Another year has ended


And a new one just begun
A new year has now begun


And so this is Christmas
It is now the time for celebrating Christmas


I hope you have fun
I hope you enjoy this holiday season


The near and the dear one
Both loved ones who are close by and those who are far away


The old and the young
People of all ages


A very Merry Christmas
I wish you a very joyous Christmas


And a happy new year
May the new year be filled with happiness


Let's hope it's a good one
Let's wish that this upcoming year will be successful and prosperous


Without any fear
May we avoid any fears or worries in the new year


For weak and for strong
All people, regardless of their strength or weakness


For rich and the poor ones
All people, regardless of their wealth or poverty


The world is so wrong
Things are not right in the world


For black and for white
All people, regardless of their race


For yellow and red one
All people, regardless of their skin color


Let's stop all the fight
Let's work together to eliminate conflict and violence


And what have we done
What progress or actions have we taken as a society?


War is over, If you want it
It is possible to end the wars if we truly desire peace


War is over now
The wars can be brought to an end


Happy Christmas
Merry Christmas


La, la, ah, ah
Musical interlude


Happy Christmas (happy Christmas)
Merry Christmas greeting repeated


Happy Christmas (happy Christmas)
Merry Christmas greeting repeated




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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on Imagine - 2010 - Remaster

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