Unveiling the Heartwarming Tale behind Merle Haggard’s Timeless Tune: “If We Make It Through December”
As the holiday season rolls around, a treasure trove of country classics resurfaces, gracing the airwaves of radio stations across the nation. Alabama’s “Christmas In Dixie,” Dolly Parton‘s soul-stirring “Hard Candy Christmas,” Willie Nelson‘s heartfelt “Pretty Paper,” and Buck Owens’ joyful “Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy” are just a few examples of the myriad of special yuletide country recordings. And let’s not forget the countless pop renditions! These cherished records, however, enjoy a relatively short lifespan, as they receive airplay exclusively from Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day (although some stations now start serving up Christmas music as early as Halloween!). Among them, only three holiday singles have triumphantly soared to the number one spot on the charts within their limited seasonal run.
The first two, Gene Autry’s timeless classic “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and Ernest Tubb’s heartfelt “Blue Christmas,” both made their debut in 1949. The third and equally remarkable song is Merle Haggard‘s soul-stirring masterpiece, “If We Make It Through December,” which traces back to 1973. While this tune mentions the holiday, it transcends the typical Christmas release. In fact, it initially made its appearance on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart on October 27, 1973, making a strong entrance at an impressive #57. With such a head start, “If We Make It Through December” gathered enough momentum to claim the coveted number one spot merely three days before Christmas.
Interestingly, the song’s inspiration did not stem from either Christmas cheer or economic struggles. It was Merle Haggard’s talented guitarist, Roy Nichols, who unknowingly sparked the creative flame. Nichols had experienced several divorces, with the majority occurring towards the end of the year. Curious about his outlook during another year-end approaching, Haggard inquired about his guitarist’s perspective. In response, Nichols casually uttered a phrase that resonated deeply with Merle: “If we can just make it through December.” Whenever a casual remark like this falls upon the attentive ears of Merle Haggard, one can be certain that it will soon be transformed into a soul-stirring melody. And so it happened.
Although “If We Make It Through December” left an indelible mark on the hearts of the public, its significance went far beyond that for guitarist Ronnie Reno. Ronnie, the son of esteemed musician Don Reno, had previously been part of the Osborne Brothers’ band, which had the privilege of opening for Haggard at a remarkable White House concert. Subsequently, Reno joined Haggard’s entourage, and it was during this period that he had the honor of recording “If We Make It Through December” alongside the legendary artist. Understandably, Ronnie felt a mix of excitement and nerves working with such a megastar. The song became an essential inclusion on Merle’s forthcoming Christmas album, recorded in July of ’73 at the historic Bakersfield studio once owned by Buck Owens.
The story behind “If We Make It Through December” paints a vivid picture of how everyday conversations and shared experiences can give birth to timeless and resonating melodies. Merle Haggard’s ability to transform a passing remark into a heartfelt anthem showcases the power of music in capturing the essence of the human spirit. So, as the holiday season approaches, let this remarkable song remind us that with resilience and hope, we can indeed make it through the challenges that lie before us, no matter the month or the circumstances we face.
Artist: Merle Haggard
Released: 1973
Album: Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present
Lyrics
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
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
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
