It's Not Politically Correct . . . It's How I Wanted it to Be!

By Bobby

The song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" had a controversial change to its lyrics when it was first sung in a movie by Judy Garland.

Songwriter Hugh Martin had a religious reference "Through the years we all will be together if the Lord allows," altered to remove religious references when it was first released in "Meet Me in St. Louis". In 1990, Michael O'Brien, a California clergyman, met Hugh Martin, who wrote the song, and explained the story of the politically correct incident. At the church where Mr. O'Brien was pastor, Mr. Martin played piano and Mr. O'Brien sang it as was requested by the writer. After Mr. O'Brien joined NewSong, the group recorded a Christmas album fresh off its megahit "The Christmas Shoes," and they recorded the song, as was requested by the writer, with the religious reference kept in the song, instead of luck.

Twila Paris and Kathy Troccoli have also recorded the song with the correct lyric.