so this is christmas

By Mark | December 15, 2004

Can someone out there please verify a rumor that I heard yesterday concerning John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s song “Happy Christmas (War is Over)“? I heard that it’s been remade, with a Lennon-sound-alike, removing all the “troubling” mentions of war and fear. I can’t imagine this it true, but you never know these days.

A very Merry Christmas
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!

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3 Comments

Tony Buttons

Posted December 16, 2004 at 12:18 pm | Permalink

The Beatles wish you Happy Holidays.
Monica

Posted December 17, 2004 at 12:56 pm | Permalink

Mark, The song has been covered by Jimmy Buffett, Rebecca St. James, Thrice, U2, The Alarm, Cranes, Damien Rice, Badge, Larry Kiwan, Cruxshadows, Melissa Etheridge, John Holt, Delta Goodrem. I also heard it was being re-written.
mark

Posted December 18, 2004 at 11:31 am | Permalink

Thanks for the info, Monica… Do you have any idea how many of these versions, if any, whitewash or downplay the anti-war message of the original?