Jesus was not a Christian and Buddha was not a Buddhist but their religion was love. Can it really be this simple? That the ultimate religion is love! Perhaps we all need to see what we have settled for in order to fully realize that there is another choice besides war and injustice as well as understanding the full meaning of Lennon’s Merry Christmas (War is Over), which was recorded in 1971 – nine years before Lennon was shot down and killed in December, 1980.
A protest song against the Vietnam War, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” has since become a Christmas standard, frequently covered by other artists, appearing on compilation albums of seasonal music, and named in many polls as a holiday favorite. With our recent revelations about torture as well as our continuing illegal unmanned drone strikes that are killing scores of innocent civilians – the song remains appropriate.
At the beginning of the song, two whispers can be heard. Yoko whispers,”Happy Christmas, Kyoko” (Kyoko Chan Cox is Yoko’s daughter with Anthony Cox) and John whispers, “Happy Christmas, Julian” (John’s son with Cynthia).
But this Christmas, I offer the hope of Lennon’s greatest song which is a needed reminder that the hope for a better world still remains deep in all our hearts. Sing it along with John and let it be our Christmas and New Year’s wish for the world.
Allen L Roland is a Freelance Alternative Press Online columnist. He is also a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his web site at AllenRoland.com. He also guest hosts a Truthtalk, a national radio show that airs monthly. He is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations via email at allen@allenroland.com.
Glad you played Happy Christmas (War is Over) but very displeased at the video with it. I feel that it was inappropriate to the real sense of the song. Frankly, I had to stop watching it because it spoiled for me the sense and spirit of the song.