The group made its television debut in either 1961 or 1962 on a talk show hosted by Mike Wallace and Joyce Davidson, though neither audio nor video footage has yet been found. By 1963, Peter, Paul, and Mary had recorded three albums. All three were in the Top ten the week of President Kennedy's assassination.
That year, the group also released "Puff the Magic Dragon", which Yarrow and fellow Cornell student Leonard Lipton had written in 1959, and performed "If I Had a Hammer" at the 1963 March on Washington, best remembered for Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. One of their biggest hit singles was the Bob Dylan song "Blowin' in the Wind. They also sang other Bob Dylan songs, such as: "The Times They Are a-Changin'"; "Don't Think Twice, it's Alright"; and "When the Ship Comes In".
"Leaving On A Jet Plane" became their only #1 hit (as well as their final Top 40 hit) in December 1969, and was written by John Denver (who already had some success with The Chad Mitchell Trio), and first appeared on their Album 1700 in 1967. "Day Is Done", a #21 hit in June 1969, was the last Hot 100 hit that the trio recorded.
The trio broke up in 1970 to pursue solo careers, but found little of the success which they had experienced as a group--although Stookey's "The Wedding Song (There is Love)" (written for Yarrow's marriage to Marybeth McCarthy, the niece of senator Eugene McCarthy) was a hit and has become a wedding standard since its 1971 release.
In 1978, they reunited for a concert to protest nuclear energy, and have recorded albums together and toured since. They currently play around 45 shows a year.[1]
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
The trio became political activists for their commitment to peace in Central America and for supporting musically and personally the peace and social justice movement in America. Their inveterate support for Israel distinguishes them from other major folk singing groups and implies a uniqueness of consideration and courage in their political choices. They were awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience on September 1, 1990.[2]
In 2004, Travers was diagnosed with leukemia, leading to the cancellation of the remaining tour dates for that year. She received a bone marrow transplant and is recovering. She and the rest of the trio resumed their concert tour on December 9, 2005 with a holiday performance at Carnegie Hall.
Peter, Paul, and Mary received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.
The trio sang in Mitchell, South Dakota, for the George and Eleanor McGovern Library and Center for Leadership dedication concert on October 5, 2006.
The trio canceled several dates of their summer 2007 tour, as Mary took longer than expected to recover from back surgery and later had to undergo a second surgery, further postponing the tour.[1] They will make up at least one of the dates, at the Northfork Theatre (formerly Westbury Music Fair) in June 2008.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Peter Paul & Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To visit our neighbors and sing out like this.
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
And a happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin.
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
We all want some figgy pudding
We all want some figgy pudding
We all want some figgy pudding
And a cup of good cheer.
And we won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some,
We won't go until we get some.
So bring it right here.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin.
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
A happy New Year.
Once in a year, it is not thought amiss
To visit our neighbors and sing out like this.
Of friendship and love, good neighbors abound
And peace and goodwill the whole year around.
(Pace!) (Shanti!) (Salud!) (Shalom!)
The words mean the same, whatever your home.
Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?
Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?
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.
The song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" by Peter, Paul, and Mary is a classic Christmas carol that brings people together and spreads holiday cheer. The first verse sets the tone of the song by stating that it is customary, once a year, to visit our neighbors and sing songs of good wishes. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the Christmas sentiments of love, friendship, and goodwill.
In the second verse, the song takes a playful turn with the mention of figgy pudding, a traditional British dessert made with figs, bread, and spices. By singing, "We won't go until we get some," the carolers are expressing their festive spirit and jesting with their listeners. The final verse, delivered in different languages (Pace means peace in Italian, Shanti in Hindi, Salud in Spanish, and Shalom in Hebrew), speaks to the universal message of Christmas. The song ends on a note of hope and inclusivity by asking, "Why can't we have Christmas the whole year round?"
Overall, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is a joyful reminder of the traditions and values that make the holiday season special. It encourages people to come together, share their blessings, and spread goodwill towards all.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in a year, it is not thought amiss
To visit our neighbors and sing out like this.
It's always a good idea to spread joy and cheer during the holiday season by singing to those around us.
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Our main goal is to wish you a joyful Christmas season and a happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin.
We bring cheerful and positive news to you and your loved ones.
We all want some figgy pudding
And we won't go until we get some
So bring it right here.
We're hoping to indulge in some delicious figgy pudding and won't leave until we do!
Of friendship and love, good neighbors abound
And peace and goodwill the whole year around.
Neighbors tend to share the gift of friendship and love during the holiday season which should extend to creating peace and goodwill throughout the year.
(Pace!) (Shanti!) (Salud!) (Shalom!)
The words mean the same, whatever your home.
Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?
No matter where you come from, our greetings of peace and happiness (in various languages) remain the same. We should strive to maintain the spirit and goodwill of Christmas throughout the year.
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Again, our main goal is to extend our warmest wishes for a joyful Christmas season and a happy New Year to you and your loved ones.
Lyrics © Phonographic Digital Limited (PDL), Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: TRADITIONAL, BRIAN SCOTT BENNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Delby
Could you imagine the joy that was there for those who saw them live and in person with chorus and orchestra? Heaven!!!
Hermie Roño
II LOVE YOU PETER PAUL AND MARY.
Ron Delby
Yessss the best ever