A Powerful Christmas Anthem with a Message
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono stands as a timeless Christmas anthem with a potent message. Released in 1971, it marked Lennon as the first Beatle to release a Christmas song following the Beatles' breakup, yet its meaning extends far beyond festive cheer. Rooted in the couple's activism and peace campaigns, particularly their opposition to the Vietnam War, the song is both a celebration of the holiday season and a poignant protest. The song blends heartfelt wishes for peace with a universal call for action, encouraging listeners to reflect on their role in the world and the impact of conflict.
A Song Inspired by Activism
Lennon's songwriting, inspired by his desire to offer an alternative to classic holiday songs like "White Christmas," taps into the collective longing for peace and change. The lyrics challenge listeners by asking, "And what have you done?" while urging them to strive for a better, more peaceful year ahead. The repetition of "War is over, if you want it" underscores the idea that peace is achievable if people desire it enough. This sense of individual and collective responsibility, paired with a hopeful holiday message, makes the song emotionally resonant.
The Impact of the Harlem Community Choir
The inclusion of the Harlem Community Choir, particularly their voices during the chorus, adds a layer of innocence and purity to the song. Hearing children sing lines like "War is over, if you want it" amplifies the urgency of Lennon's message. It creates a stark contrast between the warmth of Christmas and the reality of ongoing wars, using the children's voices as a symbol of hope for future generations. This choice elevates the song from a simple Christmas track to a rallying cry for peace.
Musical Simplicity with Emotional Depth
Musically, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is beautifully simple yet powerful. The acoustic guitar-driven arrangement, combined with Yoko Ono's haunting harmonies and the rich, angelic voices of the choir, creates an intimate, almost hymn-like quality. Lennon's vocal delivery is heartfelt, with a touch of melancholy, perfectly complementing the song's duality of celebration and protest. The balance between the uplifting melody and the serious subject matter creates a memorable, thought-provoking experience.
A Timeless Call for Peace
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" continues to be one of the most impactful holiday songs ever recorded. Its seamless blend of festive warmth and anti-war sentiment gives it a unique place in music history, reminding us of the power of music as a tool for change. The song remains as relevant today as it was when first released, making it a timeless classic that transcends the Christmas season.
Listen to John Lennon and Yoko Ono Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
John Lennon and Yoko Ono Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Lyrics Meaning
The meaning of Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono is both a celebration of the Christmas season and a poignant anti-war message. Released during the Vietnam War, the song serves as a call for personal responsibility in achieving peace, urging listeners to reflect on their actions over the past year and to envision a future without fear or conflict. Through its lyrics, the song highlights themes of unity, equality, and love across all boundaries—whether racial, generational, or socio-economic. Featuring the voices of the Harlem Community Choir, Lennon and Ono emphasize that the choice for peace rests in the hands of individuals, encapsulated in the powerful refrain, "War is over, if you want it." The song blends the warmth and hopefulness of Christmas with a broader political message, making it a timeless anthem for peace.
Intro: A Personal Greeting with Universal Love
In the intro of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," Lennon and Ono wish a "Happy Christmas" to their children from previous relationships: Kyoko, Ono's daughter, and Julian, Lennon's son. The phrase "Happy Christmas" reflects the British way of saying the more familiar "Merry Christmas." By acknowledging their children from other partners, Lennon and Ono demonstrate a love that transcends family boundaries, emphasizing peace and unity.
Verse 1: Reflection on the Passing Year
In verse one, Lennon opens with “So this is Christmas / And what have you done?”—a reflective question aimed at the listener. This line encourages contemplation of one’s actions over the past year, asking whether we have contributed to positive change or remained passive. The theme of personal responsibility aligns with the song's broader call for peace and accountability. The lines “Another year over / And a new one just begun” symbolize the transition between the old and the new. Though Christmas happens before the New Year, the lyric emphasizes the opportunity for renewal and correcting past mistakes, a reflection that is often part of the winter holiday season. When Lennon sings “The near and the dear ones / The old and the young,” he emphasizes the importance of unity across generations, celebrating both family and community. This reminder that peace and joy should be extended to all, regardless of age or proximity, reinforces the spirit of togetherness.
Chorus: A Hope for a Fearless Future
The chorus, performed by Yoko Ono and the Harlem Community Choir, delivers a message of optimism with the lines “A very merry Christmas / And a happy New Year / Let’s hope it’s a good one / Without any fear.” While encouraging joy and celebration, the lyric also reflects the anxieties of the time, particularly fears related to war and social unrest. The wish for a year “Without any fear” taps into the desire for a peaceful world, and the children’s voices in the choir add a layer of innocence, underscoring the need to create a better future for younger generations.
Verse 2: A Call for Universal Peace and Equality
In verse two, Lennon continues with a universal message of inclusivity: “And so this is Christmas (War is over) / For weak and for strong (If you want it).” This line extends Christmas wishes to everyone, regardless of status or power, affirming that peace is within everyone’s reach. The refrain “War is over, if you want it” reiterates the notion that individuals can bring about peace through collective action. Lennon then highlights inequality with the line “The rich and the poor ones (War is over),” yet he stresses that peace should be available to all, not just the privileged. The lyric “The road is so long” reflects the ongoing challenges humanity faces in achieving peace, but suggests that unity and perseverance can lead to it. Lennon’s call for racial harmony is made explicit with the lines “For black and for white (If you want it) / For yellow and red ones (War is over).” By mentioning people of various races and ethnicities, the song expands beyond a Christmas or anti-war message to include the necessity of racial equality.
Verse 3 and Outro: Reflection and a Message of Personal Responsibility
The theme of reflection returns in verse three, with Lennon once again asking the listener, “And what have we done?” The shift from “you” to “we” emphasizes collective responsibility in creating a peaceful and just world. The repetition of the earlier lines “The near and the dear ones / The old and the young” reinforces the importance of unity and love during the holiday season, reminding us that all generations are affected by the choices we make regarding peace and war. The outro reiterates the song's central message with the repeated lines “War is over / If you want it.” This simple refrain emphasizes that peace is a choice, one that people must collectively make. The repetition of “War is over, if you want it” serves as both a call to action and a reminder of individual agency. The choir’s voices, combined with Lennon and Ono’s, intensify the message, leaving the listener with a sense of both hope and responsibility. The final “Happy Christmas” greetings convey a hopeful tone, blending holiday cheer with the song's deeper message of reflection, unity, and the possibility of global peace.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Lyrics
[Intro: Yoko Ono & John Lennon]
Happy Christmas, Kyoko
Happy Christmas, Julian
[Verse 1: John Lennon]
So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you had fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
[Chorus: Yoko Ono & Harlem Community Choir]
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
[Verse 2: John Lennon & Harlem Community Choir]
And so this is Christmas (War is over)
For weak and for strong (If you want it)
The rich and the poor ones (War is over)
The road is so long (Now)
And so happy Christmas (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)
[Chorus: Yoko Ono & Harlem Community Choir]
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
[Verse 3: John Lennon & Harlem Community Choir]
And so this is Christmas (War is over)
And what have we done? (If you want it)
Another year over (War is over)
And a new one just begun (Now)
And so happy Christmas (War is over)
We hope you have fun (If you want it)
The near and the dear ones (War is over)
The old and the young (Now)
[Chorus: Yoko Ono & Harlem Community Choir]
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
[Outro: Yoko Ono & Harlem Community Choir]
War is over
If you want it
War is over
Now
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)