Early life
After the separation of his parents, Lee grew up in Sacramento on the poultry farm of his grandparents. At the age of seven, he began playing the saxophone, and at the age of nine became a member of a dance ensemble. In 1969, he joined the Chester Smith Band and had his first television appearance. A short time later, he worked with the country musician Del Reeves.
He founded his first band, Apollo, in 1962. He briefly battled a cocaine addiction and moved to Iceland to go to rehab. The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair, played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las Vegas. A few records were recorded in Los Angeles with the Paramount label. After the band broke up in the 1970s, Greenwood moved back to Las Vegas, where he worked as a black jack dealer during the day, and as a singer at night.
Career
In 1979, he was discovered in Reno, Nev., by Larry McFaden, the bandleader and bassist of Mel Tillis. After making some demo tapes, Greenwood was signed in 1981 by the Nashville-based MCA label, and McFaden became his manager.
The first single, "It Turns Me Inside Out", made it to a spot in the top 20 of the country charts. Greenwood had written this song for Kenny Rogers, but Rogers turned it down due to the sheer volume of songs he had been offered at the time. "Ring On Her Finger and Time on her Hands" landed him in the country top 10.
He is best known for writing and recording the patriotic song "God Bless the USA" in the early 1980s. "God Bless the USA" gained renewed popularity following the launch of Operation: Desert Storm in 1991, and again, ten years later, following the September 11, 2001 attacks; in fact, the song even re-entered the Top 20 of the country charts in late 2001. Since then, Greenwood has played at many public events and commemorations of the attacks. He supports the United States Republican Party.
Theater
In 1995, Greenwood took a break from his touring schedule to spend time with his wife and newborn son. In his time off, he elected to build a theater in Sevierville, Tenn., and in April 1996, the "Lee Greenwood Theater" opened its doors. This gave Greenwood the opportunity to still perform daily shows, in addition to being with his family. The theater operated for five seasons, and closed for Greenwood to continue touring. The theater was not located in the heavily entertainment and tourist oriented areas of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Gatlinburg, Tenn., which contributed to the theater closing. The former theater building is now host to a church.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Lee Greenwood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Christmas past is past
Christmas present is here today
Bringing joy that will last
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light from now on
Our troubles will be out of sight
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow hang a shining star
Upon the highest bough
An have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow hang a shining star
Upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
The lyrics of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Lee Greenwood carry a message of hope, optimism, and nostalgia. The song is about reflecting on the past and present, while looking forward to a brighter future. The first verse evokes a sense of time passing by with emphasis on the present as the most important moment. The phrase "Bringing joy that will last" suggests that the present moment is something to cherish and appreciate, and we shouldn't let worries get in the way of enjoying it.
The chorus of the song is the most recognizable part, encouraging listeners to let go of any troubles and worries and just embrace the festive spirit of Christmas. The phrase "Make the Yuletide gay" may seem outdated and controversial today, but it simply meant to make the holiday season a joyous and happy time. The song then continues to reminisce about the "olden days" and "golden days of yore," where "faithful friends who are dear to us" would gather together. The final verse is a wish for the future, imagining a time when everyone will be together again and hang a "shining star upon the highest bough," a symbol of hope and optimism.
Overall, the lyrics of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" encourage us to look beyond our worries and appreciate the present moment, while also remembering the joy of the past and hoping for a brighter future filled with love and togetherness.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas future is far away
Christmas is a time that is often looked forward to, but it is still a long way off in the future.
Christmas past is past
Christmas memories from previous years have already passed, and cannot be relived in exactly the same way.
Christmas present is here today
The current celebrations and traditions of Christmas are happening in the present moment, and should be enjoyed and savored.
Bringing joy that will last
The happiness felt during Christmas should not be fleeting, but rather lead to long-lasting feelings of joy and contentment.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wishing someone a happy and enjoyable holiday season.
Let your heart be light from now on
Encouraging the listener to let go of worries and find a sense of ease during the holidays.
Our troubles will be out of sight
The cheerful atmosphere and activities of the holidays can help make problems or worries fade away temporarily, allowing for a more positive experience.
Make the Yuletide gay
Spreading joy and cheer among friends and family is an important aspect of the Christmas season.
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Through the rest of the holiday season, any pressing concerns should be put aside and instead focus on the merriment of the moment.
Here we are as in olden days
Reflecting fondly on holiday memories and traditions from the past.
Happy golden days of yore
Reveling in the good times and cheerful moments of previous Christmases.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Highlighting the importance of close friends and family during the holidays, and cherishing the time spent together.
Gather near to us once more
Reuniting with loved ones and engaging in shared activities is an important part of the Christmas season.
Through the years we all will be together
Looking forward to future holiday seasons and continuing to celebrate alongside cherished friends and family members.
If the fates allow hang a shining star
Hoping that the circumstances will allow for a bright and promising holiday season.
Upon the highest bough
Placing the shining star in a prominent and elevated location, symbolically representing the hope and focus of the season.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Encouraging listeners to enjoy and make the most of the holiday season in the present moment, rather than focusing only on future hopes and plans.
Writer(s): Ralph Blane, Victor Lemonte Wooten, Jeff Coffin, Hugh Martin, Bela Fleck, Roy Wilfred Wooten
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tylernelson2024@gmail.com
on Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands
I love your songs