Download Instrumental   I just get a kick out of saying holly and jolly in the same sentence.  If you play a job anywhere during the month of December, you simply have to include a Christmas song or two (it’s the law).  And if you choose to sing this particular piece, you’ll suddenly find that you have an Irish accent.  Trust me, you can’t help yourself.

“Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas” was written by Johnny Marks and most famously recorded by Burl Ives.  Contrary to popular belief, Ives was not born in Ireland.  He came into this world in a little town in Illinois called Hunt City.  He learned Irish and Scottish ballads from his grandmother, hence the slight Irish brogue in his voice.   But our Mr. Ives was an all-American folk singer and actor of stage, screen, radio and television.  This tune was one of his holiday hits from the animated film Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

I do have one problem with the lyrics, however.  There’s a line that says, “Somebody waits for you – kiss her once for me”.  Really?  Now we have a victim.  Some unsuspecting soul is going to get an unexpected, unwarranted, and probably unwanted kiss on behalf of a perfect stranger.  What’s up with that!

[Backup tracks on the Christmas List]