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Happy New Year! (from Japan)


John Rachel
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Ten years ago, I wrote a song that I call my "holiday greeting to the world". I played all of the instruments and my wife and I performed it in my modest home recording studio. Then I made a video.

Since then we have seen humans plunge into more violence, more brutal inhumanity, death, destruction and suffering.

I wouldn't change a word of what I wrote back then. In fact, its message is more vital and timely than ever. We need to embrace one another in what unifies us as a species, not destroy one another over differences which in the grander scheme of things are irrelevant, if not petty.

As we approach 2025, may I wish the best year ever for you and those you love!

By the way, 'akemashite omedetou' means 'Happy New Year' in Japanese. Here are all of the lyrics to the song:

1st Verse:
It's a very special time of year
For family and friends holiday cheer For those no longer with us We shed a tear A time to share A time of feast A time to care And pray for peace A time to give to those Who have the least

Chorus:
Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah Peace be with us Happy New Year

2nd Verse:
This is the time to start anew Atheist Christian Muslim Jew To reach within And find the love inside of you Discard the old seek out the new Reject the false embrace the true To look ahead decide To bring out the best in you

Choruses:
Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah Peace be with us Happy New Year
Akemashite Omedetou Peace be with you Happy New Year
Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah Peace be with you Happy New Year

- Copyright 2014 - Words and music by John Rachel

Dancing Needles Music - ASCAP (All rights reserved.)

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John Rachel has a B.A. in Philosophy, and has written ten novels and six political non-fiction books. His political articles have appeared at OpEdNews, Russia Insider, The Greanville Post, and other alternative media outlets. Since leaving (more...)
 

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2 people are discussing this page, with 3 comments  Post Comment


John Rachel

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Here is my holiday greeting card to the world, a song I wrote several years ago, performed by my wife and I here in my home studio. May I wish the best year ever for you and those you love!

Peace!

Submitted on Thursday, Jan 2, 2025 at 11:08:29 AM

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Gary Brumback

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Beautifully written John!!

Submitted on Thursday, Jan 2, 2025 at 7:41:10 PM

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John Rachel

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Reply to Gary Brumback:   New Content

Thanks, Gary. It's what music sounds like that's not written by AI.

Submitted on Thursday, Jan 2, 2025 at 8:02:03 PM

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