New release; The Folk Origins of Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

[maxwelledison]

With Christmas just a week away, here is an early present for the readers of this forum.

This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of John Lennon's overplayed Christmas classic "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". In the last couple years, the internet has been accusing John Lennon of "ripping off" the tune to this song" from the folk song "Stewball" as recorded by Peter, Paul & Mary (or, alternately, by the Greenbriar Boys).

In reality, it's much more complicated than that. The tune to the song did not originate with "Stewball", but with a different folk melody -- and it had been ripped off several times before Lennon used it. It's almost a certainty that the tune was in the public domain by the time of Lennon's recording.

The video documentary linked below runs 18 minutes, and gives the explanation. The link is valid until Decmeber 26th. Merry Chrimble, everyone!


hxxps://we.tl/t-t6D2CJPwa0

[BTL1210]

Thank you .

[kieranjames]

Ta very muchly

[urasam2]

I'm still reeling from discovering that Paul Simon's American Tune was copied from a hymn by Bach.

[Rave O Lucien]

I'm still reeling from discovering that Paul Simon's American Tune was copied from a hymn by Bach.

Also "Because All Men Are Brothers" by Peter, Paul and Mary.