Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
to say "Merry Christmas to you"
About This Song
Written by R. Alex Anderson in 1949, the lyrics of this island Christmas song describe a festive, warm holiday in a lush, sunny Hawaiian setting. Several famous artists have recorded this upbeat melody over the years as well. He found inspiration for the lyrics from a casual remark. A stenographer in his office lamented the absence of a Christmas carol that was specifically for Hawaii. He then went on to create both the lyrics and the melody.
The following year, crooner Bing Crosby first recorded Mele Kalikimaka with The Andrews Sister for Decca Records. The tune would later form part of a comprehensive Merry Christmas Album of Bing Crosby numbers released during 1955.
