Written by: William Arms Fisher
Adapted from: New World Symphony - Dvorak
--------------------------------------------------------------
This version is from a US
Treasury-sponsored "Guest Star" radio show in
December, 1948 promoting the
sale of US Savings Bonds.
<SPOKEN Intro> Wherever we may be along about this time of
year, our
hearts become sentimental
pilgrims and head for home. Because home
is
where we all discover that
Christmas is one time of the year when we
don't have to be wealthy to be
rich. Some of us remember Christmas as
the time when Dad gave us our
first gold watch. Others remember it as
the time when a charity
organization delivered a Christmas basket to the
doorstep before dawn, so the
neighbors wouldn't see and Mother wouldn't
be embarrassed. But whether the hearth that cheered your
family was a
fireplace of marble or a kitchen
stove of cast iron, you'll remember
that your home was the richest
place on earth, warmed by the richest
spirit on earth, the spirit of
Christmas. And that's why I've chosen
this next song to sing as a
Christmas song. It's not a carol, it's
just
a beautiful pathway of friendly
and understanding music up which our
hearts may travel as they make
their Yuletide pilgrimage goin' home.
Goin' home, goin' home
I'm a'goin' home
Quiet-like, some still day
I'm a'goin' home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Goin'ta fear no more
Mother's there, 'spectin' me
Father's waitin', too
Lots of folks gathered there
All the friends I knew
<Song ends-applause>
<SPOKEN outro> One of the most precious gifts we have
throughout the
year is one we often forget, the
precious gift of freedom. Freedom to
work, to play, to worship as we
please. Freedom to decided how we'll
handle our own future, 'cause we can make our future and that of
our
families a secure one though
saving. We can buy Savings Bonds to
take
care of that new home or an
education for our kids. No one says we
hafta buy 'em, we wanna buy 'em,
'cause they're not only an investment
in our own future, they're an
investment in the finest country in the
world. So let me urge you
sincerely, as we look toward a new year, to
plan for making it a secure
year, for the regular purchase of US Savings
Bonds. So long, everybody, and Merry Christmas.
<applause>