More Music of Christmas – Day 10: Mele Kalikimaka

“Mele Kalikimaka”
By Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters

Ah, another Christmas classic song, lovingly sung by Bing and the Andrews Sisters. I included it because of it being in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s one of the best Christmas movies, don’t argue with me. This song is heard as Clark Griswold stares out the window, day-dreaming about his pool he wants to put in the ground. It’s a classic scene, and somehow this song doesn’t seem out of place.

While reading about this song, I learned what “Mele Kalikimaka” means. It’s a way of turning “Merry Christmas” into the closest sounds in the Hawaiian language. There is no R sound, so L is used. Every other letter has to be a vowel. And so on. See? You’ve learned something today.

You can easily imagine this song being performed on a beach in Hawaii in December. I have to say, I enjoy having a white Christmas, but warm sun, golden beaches, and blue ocean water on Christmas Day doesn’t sound too bad, either.

Tomorrow – time for the Mayhem.