XV. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1943)
Music and Text by Hugh Martin (1914–2011) and Ralph Blane (1914-95); arr. Mark Hayes, 2007 (b. 1953)
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was first performed by Judy Garland in the 1943 film Meet Me in St. Louis. Mark Hayes’ expert choral arrangement of this modern classic deftly showcases his penchant for lush, expansive jazz harmonies, exquisite vocal writing and rich piano accompaniments.
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