Song Information
Title: If We Make It Through December
Artist: Merle Haggard
Writer: Merle Haggard
Release Date: October 1973
Album: If We Make It Through December (1974)
Label: Capitol Records
Genre: Country
Producer: Ken Nelson
Originally released as the lead single from the album If We Make It Through December, this poignant ballad quickly became one of Merle Haggard’s most iconic songs. It topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for four weeks and even crossed over into the pop charts — a rare feat for Haggard. With its minimalist arrangement and raw emotional delivery, the song captures a deeply personal struggle that resonated with millions.
Song Content
If We Make It Through December tells the story of a man who has just lost his job at a factory — right before Christmas. As the winter chill sets in, both literally and emotionally, he struggles with the guilt and helplessness of not being able to provide a joyful holiday for his daughter. The lyrics unfold like a quiet confession: there’s no grand emotional outburst, just a man trying to hold it together for the sake of someone he loves.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, the narrator places his hope in just surviving the month. “If we make it through December, everything’s gonna be all right, I know,” he sings, clinging to the idea that spring — both literal and metaphorical — might offer them a fresh start. The song’s simplicity becomes its greatest strength: there are no dramatic turns, just quiet resilience in the face of hardship.
Explaining the Song’s Emotional Impact
The song resonates not just because of its story, but because of its timing. Released during the 1973 recession, many American families were grappling with unemployment, inflation, and economic uncertainty. Merle Haggard’s working-class authenticity made this song more than just fiction — it felt like a voice for the forgotten.
The month of December, usually associated with warmth, celebration, and togetherness, becomes a symbol of pressure and quiet despair in the song. For parents especially, the expectation to “make the holidays magical” can feel crushing when finances are tight. The narrator isn’t ashamed for himself — he’s heartbroken for his child. That subtle but profound emotional thread is what has kept the song relevant for decades.
This isn’t just a Christmas song — it’s a survival anthem. It speaks to anyone who’s ever felt they’re barely holding on, hoping the next month, or the next season, will be kinder. It’s a stark reminder that the holidays aren’t joyous for everyone — and that behind every quiet smile may be a story of deep sacrifice.
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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