And so the classic song "I'll Be Home For
Christmas" ends with that memorable line “if only in my dreams.”
And that is sort of the way I feel at this stage of my
life. Christmases are now dreams of the
past, anticipating the holiday as a child and then the pleasures Ann and I had
in creating memorable holiday moments for our children as they grew up. The classic song itself is particularly evocative
of the distant past popularized by Bing Crosby and so many others, first
recorded at the peak of WW II.
Undoubtedly it was played frequently by my mother and my
grandparents with whom we lived while my father was in Germany at the conclusion of the War, wanting to get home, but he was part of the occupying force and didn’t make it home until right after Christmas 1945. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is
probably implanted in the recesses in my mind as every time I hear it I feel a sudden
melancholy.
When my father came home he brought a wooden replica of
the Jeep he drove in Germany for me. I
don’t remember his return, or getting the Jeep, but somehow that 70 year old
Jeep has accompanied me to wherever I lived.
Sometimes when I look at it, I can hear "I'll Be Home For Christmas."
In some past blog entries I’ve posted videos of other
Christmas songs I like to play, in particular the following: “It's Love -- It's Christmas,” a seldom performed Christmas song, written by
none other than the great jazz pianist Bill Evans. And, then, “Christmas Time Is Here” is by Vince Guaraldi,
a great jazz musician too but his music will always be associated with the
Peanuts Christmas specials.
Finally, there is “Christmas Lullaby,” probably the most unknown
Christmas song. It was written for Cary Grant by none other than Peggy Lee
(Lyrics) and Cy Coleman (Music). It is the simplest of tunes and lyrics but
therein is its beauty.
So, on the eve of this Christmas I post my piano rendition
of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” with fond memories of my Dad and Christmases past.
"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
I'll be home for Christmas;
You can plan on me.
Please have snow and mis-tle-toe
And presents on the tree.
Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.
I'll be home for Christmas;
You can plan on me.
Please have snow and mis-tle-toe
And presents on the tree.
Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
