Born in Montreal, Canada, Peterson began learning trumpet and piano from his father at the age of five, but by the age of seven, after a bout of tuberculosis, he concentrated on the piano. Some of the artists who influenced Peterson during the early years were Teddy Wilson, Nat "King" Cole, James P. Johnson, and the legendary Art Tatum, to whom many have tried to compare Peterson in later years. In fact, one of his first exposures to the musical talents of Art Tatum came early in his teen years when his father played an Art Tatum record to him and Peterson was so intimidated by what he heard that he didn't touch the piano for over a week.
He soon developed a reputation as a technically brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist, and became a regular on Canadian radio. His United States introduction was at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1949 by Norman Granz; owing to union restrictions his appearance could not be billed.
Some of his musical associates have included Lester Young, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Count Basie, and Stan Getz. An important step in his career was joining impresario Norman Granz's labels (especially Verve records) and Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic package, with which he was able to play with the major jazz artists of the time. Granz was also his manager for most of Peterson's career. Some cognoscenti assert that Peterson's best recordings were made for the MPS label in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies. For some years subsequently he recorded for Granz's Pablo Records after the label was founded in 1973 and in more recent years for the Telarc label.
In 1993, Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years. However he overcame this setback and went back to touring, recording, and composing on a limited basis. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award. He died on December 24th, 2007 of kidney failure.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And 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
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" are a powerful message of hope and togetherness during the holiday season. The song begins with the call to action to have a merry little Christmas and to let one's heart be light. It is a reminder that in a season where we can get caught up in the busyness and stress, we should try to find joy and lightness in our hearts. The song then continues to assure that our troubles, whatever they may be, will be out of sight and miles away. This further emphasizes a sense of hope and peace, that even in the midst of chaos and adversity, we can find solace and happiness within the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wishing you a happy and enjoyable Christmas
Let your heart be light
Find joy in your heart and be carefree
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Leave behind your problems and have a worry-free Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
Bring merriness and cheer to this festive season
Here we are as in olden days
Reminisce the good old days and cherish the present
Happy golden days of yore
Recall the happy memories of the past
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Friends who are loyal and meaningful to us
Gather near to us once more
Come closer to us and share this special moment
Through the years we all will be together
We will spend many Christmases together as time goes by
If the fates allow
If destiny permits
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Put a bright and beautiful star on top of the Christmas tree
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Enjoy Christmas to the fullest right now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind