Ten years ago, I wrote a song that I call my "holiday greeting to the world". I played all of the instruments and my wife and I performed it in my modest home recording studio. Then I made a video.
Since then we have seen humans plunge into more violence, more brutal inhumanity, death, destruction and suffering.
I wouldn't change a word of what I wrote back then. In fact, its message is more vital and timely than ever. We need to embrace one another in what unifies us as a species, not destroy one another over differences which in the grander scheme of things are irrelevant, if not petty.
As we approach 2025, may I wish the best year ever for you and those you love!
By the way, 'akemashite omedetou' means 'Happy New Year' in Japanese. Here are all of the lyrics to the song:
1st Verse:
It's a very special time of year For family and friends holiday cheer
For those no longer with us
We shed a tear
A time to share
A time of feast
A time to care
And pray for peace
A time to give to those
Who have the least
Chorus:
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Peace be with us
Happy New Year
2nd Verse:
This is the time to start anew
Atheist Christian Muslim Jew
To reach within
And find the love inside of you
Discard the old seek out the new
Reject the false embrace the true
To look ahead decide
To bring out the best in you
Choruses:
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Peace be with us
Happy New Year
Akemashite
Omedetou
Peace be with you
Happy New Year
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Peace be with you
Happy New Year
- Copyright 2014 - Words and music by John Rachel
Dancing Needles Music - ASCAP (All rights reserved.)
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