'Tis the season at SteynOnline: we have plenty of Yuletide delights over at the Steyn Store, including one of the world's merriest Christmas albums and an all-hit triple-bill. And, if you really want to treat your beloved this Christmas, there's always a stateroom on the Mark Steyn Caribbean Cruise, with Eva Vlaardingerbroek, Conrad Black, Michele Bachmann, Bo Snerdley, Leilani Dowding, Tal Bachman and more.
~Welcome to a seasonal presentation from our Serenade Radio series of Steyn's Song of the Week. Today I trace the history of a Christmas ballad that has grown and grown over the decades, as you'll hear through performances by everyone from Judy Garland to Twisted Sister.
From the Steyn archives, I'll also talk to the late Hugh Martin about writing the song, and and then invite him to play it the way he likes to hear it.
To listen to the show, simply click above.
Oh, and a video bonus. I always wanted to do a merry version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", so a couple of years back we gave it a go:
Yours truly with orchestra arranged and conducted by Kevin Amos, and peerless backing vocalists Janet Mooney, Emma Kershaw and Kate Graham.
~This airing of my Serenade Song of the Week is a special presentation of The Mark Steyn Club. We launched the Steyn Club over six-and-a-half years ago, and in this our seventh year I'm immensely heartened by all the longtime SteynOnline regulars - from Fargo to Fiji, Madrid to Malaysia, West Virginia to Witless Bay - who've signed up to be a part of it. Membership in The Mark Steyn Club also comes with non-musical benefits, including:
~Our latest audio adventure in Tales for Our Time, and more than sixty thrilling predecessors;
~Other audio series on pertinent topics, such as our serialization of Climate Change: The Facts and this year's adaptation of "A Disgrace to the Profession";
~My exclusive anthology of video poetry - because, as I always say, that's where the big bucks are;
~Exclusive Steyn Store member pricing on over 40 books, mugs, T-shirts, and other products;
~The opportunity to engage in live Clubland Q&A sessions with yours truly (such as last Wednesday's);
~Transcript and audio versions of The Mark Steyn Show and other video content;
~Advance booking for my live appearances around the world, such as the forthcoming Mark Steyn Cruise;
~Customized email alerts for new content in your areas of interest;
~and the chance to support our print, audio and video ventures as they wing their way around the planet.
To become a member of The Mark Steyn Club, please click here. And for our special Gift Membership see here.
~We do enjoy your comments on the show. Steyn Clubbers are welcome to leave them below - or anybody can leave them over at Serenade Radio, where they love hearing from listeners.
Steyn's Song of the Week airs thrice weekly on Serenade Radio in the UK, one or other of which broadcasts is certain to be convenient for whichever part of the world you're in:
5.30pm Sunday London (12.30pm New York)
5.30am Monday London (4.30pm Sydney)
9pm Thursday London (1pm Vancouver)
Whichever you prefer, you can listen from anywhere on the planet right here.
