The end is nearly here. Another year and another December are soon to have passed. After experiencing the unusually cold arctic blast of the past week and a lot of chilly moments over the past few months, there is a song that has really been striking a chord with me.
That’s where we’ll pick up our discussion on this edition of “Becoming Today”.
Some nearly 50 years ago a man who was no stranger to troubled times himself, crooned about how this time of year can become a test of endurance.
Shivering and dreaming of a warmer place, the coldest chill came to his heart, when he needed to explain some of the test of life to his children.
The song became an instant classic and the singer and sole songwriter offered it to the world on an album he entitled, “Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present”.
A child of the Dust Bowl, Haggard’s family were those similar to the characters in “The Grapes of Wrath” who traveled west as the pioneers of a century before had. In search of sunshine, rainbows and opportunity.
All themes he would later sing about and live.
The song I’ve been humming constantly as it is representative of where I have found myself is “If We Make It Through December”.
As Merle crooned, “If we make it through December, we’ll be fine”.
As of this moment that gives us six days to go.
If you’re not familiar with the song I’ll share a link to a video. However to me the words themselves
As simple as they are are sheer poetry that speaks volumes for multitudes of people.
Opening with a chorus that repeats and in just three verses, 173 words in total, Haggard gave voice to people of all kinds from a multitude of places.
As the song begins:
“If we make it through December
Everything’s going to be alright, I know
It’s the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the falling snow
If we make it through December
Got plans to be in a warmer town come summer time
Maybe even California
If we make it through December, we’ll be fine”
While Merle was born in California after his family’s Joad like journey from Oklahoma in 1934, despite the change in climate he would still experience many a cold December.
In the words of the character in the song,
“Got laid off down at the factory
And their timing’s not the greatest in the world
Heaven knows I’ve been working hard
I wanted Christmas to be right for daddy’s girl
I don’t mean to hate December
It’s meant to be the happy time of year
But my little girl don’t understand
Why daddy can’t afford no Christmas here”.
In his own life an earlier song, “Mama TrIed” tells the tale of:
“I turned 21 in prison, doing life without parole
No one could steer me right but mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading, I denied
Leaves only me to blame ’cause mama tried”.
Convicted of multiple crimes, beginning at the age of 13, by the time he turned 20 it was in the dark cells of San Quentin State Prison that he managed to turn his life around and found music to uplift not only him but millions of souls.
Released from prison in 1960, eventually in 1972 then California Governor Ronald Reagan pardoned Haggard for all his crimes .
A blessing Merle never forgot and made the most of. Not only in his life, but giving to many others.
That’s why this song many may call “sad” or a “tear-jerker” to me is an inspiring reminder.
An encouragement that this too shall pass.
Hope reigns and even when we don’t quite see the way, I know for myself included, “If we make it through December, Everything’s going to be alright”.
And I’ll add WHEN “we make it through December, we’ll be fine”.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 