John Lennon died 34 years ago... and nothing has changed. Over the years I've heard the song and never thought much of it ... was listening to Celine Dion's version tonight and decided to look it up. Please DO NOT watch the video if you cannot tolerate the harsh reality of the world we live in.
So yes it is Christmas....
But for many people the world over, celebrating Christmas or not, it is another day caught up in the nightmare of wars that aren't even of their making. It is the making of a few old men/women (I won't discriminate here) sitting around a table deciding they want things to operate a certain way... regardless of the toll it takes on humanity. What is the bet those people will be safely at home tonight on Christmas Eve with their families and massive Christmas trees and loads of presents under the trees, a big feast planned for tomorrow... not a care in the world...
Yes I know I'm cynical but really I've never been a Christmas type of person. And I'm past making excuses for it. Really I could pull the blankets over my head and resurface in a couple of days. I think what gets me is the complete hypocrisy of the whole thing. Let's be Merry and filled with Joy and Peace.... while half of the world is at war... I know it is about family and putting aside grudges - yes that is all good. But if in 34 years since John Lennon has released the song the world has got worse, not better, I can't see how we can close our eyes to what goes on around us. When will the citizens of the world stand up and say enough? For how long will the whims of a few control the destinies of humanity?
I also know I'm talking to myself for now but that's ok. A dialogue has to start somewhere in order to spark change. I may not be able to do much but I can speak to my children. Change their perspective of the world. They will be the next generation of decision makes. Lets hope their children or grandchildrens Christmas may be peaceful at last....
Footnote about the music video and if you don't want to be upset please don't watch it....
A music video for "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" appeared on The John Lennon Video Collection, released on VHS in 1993, corresponding to the 1989 reissue of The John Lennon Collection. It consisted of images from Lennon and Ono's 1969 "War is Over!" billboard campaign and candid photographs of the couple and their son Sean from the late 1970s, interspersed with a boys' choral ensemble singing along with the original Harlem Community Choir vocals.
The video was recut, and the song itself remastered, for the 2003 DVD Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon. The 2003 video is composed of documentary footage, mostly depicting children, from the Vietnam War, in addition to recent scenes from various conflicts in the Horn of Africa, the Bosnian War, the 11 September 2001 attack on New York City, and the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.[citation needed]
So yes it is Christmas....
But for many people the world over, celebrating Christmas or not, it is another day caught up in the nightmare of wars that aren't even of their making. It is the making of a few old men/women (I won't discriminate here) sitting around a table deciding they want things to operate a certain way... regardless of the toll it takes on humanity. What is the bet those people will be safely at home tonight on Christmas Eve with their families and massive Christmas trees and loads of presents under the trees, a big feast planned for tomorrow... not a care in the world...
Yes I know I'm cynical but really I've never been a Christmas type of person. And I'm past making excuses for it. Really I could pull the blankets over my head and resurface in a couple of days. I think what gets me is the complete hypocrisy of the whole thing. Let's be Merry and filled with Joy and Peace.... while half of the world is at war... I know it is about family and putting aside grudges - yes that is all good. But if in 34 years since John Lennon has released the song the world has got worse, not better, I can't see how we can close our eyes to what goes on around us. When will the citizens of the world stand up and say enough? For how long will the whims of a few control the destinies of humanity?
I also know I'm talking to myself for now but that's ok. A dialogue has to start somewhere in order to spark change. I may not be able to do much but I can speak to my children. Change their perspective of the world. They will be the next generation of decision makes. Lets hope their children or grandchildrens Christmas may be peaceful at last....
Footnote about the music video and if you don't want to be upset please don't watch it....
A music video for "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" appeared on The John Lennon Video Collection, released on VHS in 1993, corresponding to the 1989 reissue of The John Lennon Collection. It consisted of images from Lennon and Ono's 1969 "War is Over!" billboard campaign and candid photographs of the couple and their son Sean from the late 1970s, interspersed with a boys' choral ensemble singing along with the original Harlem Community Choir vocals.
The video was recut, and the song itself remastered, for the 2003 DVD Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon. The 2003 video is composed of documentary footage, mostly depicting children, from the Vietnam War, in addition to recent scenes from various conflicts in the Horn of Africa, the Bosnian War, the 11 September 2001 attack on New York City, and the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.[citation needed]
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"
(Happy Xmas Kyoko
Happy Xmas Julian)
So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Xmas (war is over)
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
For rich and the poor ones (war is over)
The world is so wrong (if you want it)
And so happy Xmas (war is over)
For black and for white (if you want it)
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Let's stop all the fight (now)
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Xmas (war is over)
And what have we done (if you want it)
Another year over (war is over)
A new one just begun (if you want it)
And so happy Xmas (war is over)
We hope you have fun (if you want it)
The near and the dear one (war is over)
The old and the young (now)
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Happy Xmas