Skip to main content

Magical Moment 590, "If We Make it Through December"

I love winter and I love snow. We got a hard dose of it pretty early this year though, making me think we could be in for a long, cold season. One of my favorite songs is Merle Haggard's "If We Make it Through December." There's just something relatable in the lyrics, reminding me that better days are always ahead. 

I have my own reasons for getting through December. And a while ago, when I recorded my version of this song on my Mac, I had different reasons and a different December to brave. We all have our metaphorical "Decembers" to muttle through, and it seems between the economy, protesters, and freak snow storms, we may never get there. But that's when we're reminded of last year, and the years before, and we can see how far we've come. 

(The photo was taken right outside our door. Just one of the thousands of trees that were destroyed by the heavy, wet snow. This was one of the very first songs I ever recorded in Garage Band about 3 years ago. It's a little rough around the edges, but I find that when you have a good song to begin with, it's hard to mess it up too bad. Enjoy.)

"If We Make it Through December" - Merle Haggard

If we make it through December
Everythings gonna be all right I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the fallin snow

If we make it through December
I got plans of bein in a warmer town come summer time
Maybe even California
If we make it through December we'll be fine

I got laid off down at the factory
And there timings not the greatest in the world
Heaven knows I been workin' hard
I wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl
Now I don't mean to hate December
It's meant to be the happy time of year
And why my little girl don't understand
Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here

If we make it through December
Everythings gonna be alright I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the fallin' snow

If we make it through December
I got plans of bein' in a warmer town come summer time
Maybe even California
If we make it through December we'll be fine
Labels:

Comments

Kim@stuffcould.... said…
I like your thought...we all do have December's to make it through! So True
ps. I did not get a video to play
October 31, 2011 at 10:50 PM
ds said…
Our personal Decembers--very true. Poor trees! They are down everywhere. Hope you came through with no loss of power.
November 1, 2011 at 12:53 AM
Steve Gravano said…
That was awesome! You should put that on a CD!
November 1, 2011 at 7:15 AM
Gary's third pottery blog said…
OH! Your music is soooo awesome :) Although, to be truthful, December is usually just the beginning, with, well, January through march testing the patience a bit....
November 1, 2011 at 7:48 AM
Linda at To Behold The Beauty said…
I wondered how you were faring during the recent storm in your area. It's certainly a reminder of the long winter ahead. But I hope your metaphorical December proves to be mild and short. :)

The video didn't play for me, either; but now Merle Haggard's voice will be singing it in my head all day.
November 1, 2011 at 9:05 AM
TexWisGirl said…
that was beautiful. really loved it.
November 1, 2011 at 9:31 AM
Dawn said…
Love this post and these thoughts. December can be and usually is- a tricky month for many reasons...and Decembers can come at any time too!
Thanks for this post. I needed it today....
November 1, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Hilary said…
Very pretty, Elizabeth. It's a shame about the damage that the early snow has caused.
November 1, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Busy Bee Suz said…
I really really love this song too...and I really really love your thoughts on 'December'. It's true that we all have our 'December's to get through....I am hoping yours goes well.

ps. The downed tree makes me sad!!!!
November 1, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Leontien said…
Ok i just didn't quite sound right coming from my laptop! I'll have to listen to the song again on my computer later today....


And oh my gosh that snow, yes, i heard lot's of people had some.... pretty scary!

So glad to be back!
Leontien
November 1, 2011 at 12:33 PM
laughwithusblog said…
Right now I've just gotta get through November! ;)
November 2, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Rick said…
Not sure what you consider 'rough around the edges' but I loved it - beautifully done !

As for the snow ... that's why we're down south ;-) But I recall a 6" dump of snow the first weekend of September about 15 years ago when we lived in Calgary - also did a lot of damage, and the following weekend it was 77 and I was cutting the grass !
November 2, 2011 at 8:09 PM
Leonora said…
It's a beautiful song.
If we can only make it through December...and January...and February. When we lived in NY, it wasn't until May that we could breath easier : )
November 3, 2011 at 9:13 AM
Slamdunk said…
Beautiful Elizabeth. I should have listened to this as I was shoveling the driveway after the same storm you describe; perhaps it would have removed my frown.
November 4, 2011 at 9:53 AM
Deborah said…
You have the voice of an angel Elizabeth ... that was just beautiful! x
November 4, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Jayne said…
Elizabeth- I just want you to know that my 12 year-old daughter walked into my room as I was listening to your recording of "If We Make it Through December" and she stopped in her tracks (which doesn't often happen!) and said, "Wow, she has a really beautiful voice."

And you do. And yes, we must all weather our own Decembers. Doesn't it feel so good to come out all right on the other side?!
November 5, 2011 at 3:21 PM
Joop Zand said…
Thats a nice song Elisabeth

warm greetings,. Joop
November 7, 2011 at 7:56 AM
Unknown said…
What a beautiful voice and what a truth about December. There is a mix of joy and sadness in it, I believe, for many of us! Still, I focus on the Joy! ;)
November 8, 2011 at 1:23 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at  Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do  not  endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le...
26 comments
Read more

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty.  And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~
48 comments
Read more

Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

The Veterans Day Parade, NYC On July 29, 2001 , five exceptional men were honored by the President of the United States for their remarkable military service. They were involved in a top secret mission that required unfathomable intelligence and as a result, literally won a battle which was instrumental in winning the war. Not the war that was happening in 2001, not even the Gulf War. It was World War II, and they were the Navajo Code Talkers who were largely responsible for winning the bloody battle of Okinawa. The only problem with the ceremony was that just 5 remained of the original 29. Our country was too late in thanking the other 24, and nearly too late in thanking those 5 men. On March 10, 2010, three hundred women won the Congressional Gold medal for their outstanding war service. Unfortunately, 800 received the award posthumously. These were the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, who devoted themselves to flying military aircraft like the B-26 and B-...
18 comments
Read more