Without A Single Store-Bought Thing

The Mynabirds “All I Want is Truth (For Christmas)”

Here’s a Christmas song for those who are both cynical about the future of humanity, and idealistic about the holiday. Laura Burhenn’s composition interpolates bits of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” but bends them into verses about global warming and endless war before settling on wishing for a modest celebration of family and friendship. It’s actually closer to the spirit of the original draft of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane to be a fairly depressing tune, and was rewritten at the behest of Judy Garland, who would be the first to perform it. Burhenn’s lyrics can get a bit cloying at times, but this is ultimately very warm, sweet, and homey, like a good Christmas song should be.

Buy it from Saddle Creek.