“If We Make It Through December”, a song written by Merle Haggard, was recorded by Merle Haggard & The Strangers for the Capitol label on January 16, 1973, at Columbia Recording Studio, 804 16th Ave. South, Nashville, TN, Two other songs were recorded at the same recording session: “Big bad Bill (Is sweet William now)” unissued, and “I’ll break out again tonight”. In the recording session Merle was accompanied by: Marcy Nichols (guitar), Roy Nichols (guitar), Bobby Wayne (guitar), Joseph Zinkan (bass), Biff Adam (drums), Johnny Gimble (fiddle), Hargus Robbins (piano) and William Puett (horns). With the production of Ken Nelson, the song was released on October 27, 1973, on December 22, 1973, reached # 1 on the charts of US Hot Country Songs, remaining on the charts for a total of 17 weeks. And on January 19, 1974, it also reached # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. It was the sixteenth number one in Merle’s career.
The song was included in Merle’s sixteenth studio album, If We Make It Through December (Capitol 1974), the album was released in February 1974, on May 11, 1974, reached number 4 on the US charts. Top Country Albums, remaining in the charts a total of 21 weeks.
Miquel Batlle Garriga
mbatllegarriga@gmail.com
Merle Haggard – If We Make it Through December lyrics
If we make it through December
Everything’s gonna be all right 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 there time is not the greatest in the world
Heaven knows I been workin’ hard
I wanted Christmas to be right for daddy’s girl
Now I don’t mean to hate December
It’s meant to be the happy time of year
And my little girl don’t understand
Why daddy can’t afford no Christmas gift
If we make it through December
Everything’s gonna 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
” unissued, and “I'll break out again tonight”. In the recording session Merle was accompanied by: Marcy Nichols (guitar), Roy Nichols (guitar), Bobby Wayne (guitar), Joseph Zinkan (bass), Biff Adam (drums), Johnny Gimble (fiddle), Hargus Robbins (piano) and William Puett (horns). With the production of Ken Nelson, the song was released on October 27, 1973, on December 22, 1973, reached # 1 on the charts of US Hot Country Songs, remaining on the charts for a total of 17 weeks. And on January 19, 1974, it also reached # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. It was the sixteenth number one in Merle's career.The song was included in Merle's sixteenth studio album, If We Make It Through December (Capitol 1974), the album was released in February 1974, on May 11, 1974, reached number 4 on the US charts. Top Country Albums, remaining in the charts a total of 21 weeks.){kind=link}