This is one of the – if not the – most wistful songs of the season. So much so that, the first Christmas that my son did not come from South Korea, I couldn’t listen to it.

The idea for it came just as World War II started. With the original Antifa – millions of Americans fighting fascists around the world – away from those they loved, it was thought a song like this would boost morale. 

The composers – Kim Gannon and Walter Kent – ran into Buck Ram, another songwriter, at a bar. Ram discussed a poem he’d written his mother in the 1920s and the idea germinated into the song. Gannon and Kent were originally the only ones credited for it, but legal procedures led to Ram being listed as a co-writer.

Bing Crosby recorded the first version in 1943, just as the tide of the war was turning in the Allies’ favor. It would still be two years before most of the people for whom the song was written would enjoy the snow, the mistletoe and the presents ‘neath the tree in person.

The version I’ve chosen is by Leslie Odom, Jr., who I just saw on Broadway reprising his career-breakthrough role in “Hamilton.” I hope you enjoy it – and that everyone in your life who can be will be home for the holidays.

https://music.youtube.com/search?q=i%27ll+be+home+for+christmas+leslie+odom+jr