These lyrics are a subtly altered version of the classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," originally written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis. The original lyrics were quite melancholic, reflecting the anxieties of wartime. The changes made in this version aim to create a more hopeful and upbeat, almost timeless, Christmas feeling—fitting with Michael Bublé's overall style.

Let's analyze the key changes and their impact:

• "From now on / Our troubles will be out of sight" vs. the original's more wistful phrasing: The original lyrics contained lines like "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, / Though your heart be heavy." This version eliminates the inherent sadness. The optimistic replacement directly addresses and dismisses troubles, creating a more comforting message. This is a significant shift from the original's nuanced melancholy.

• The Repetition and Omission: The repetition of verses and bridges, and the omission of some verses entirely, streamlines the song. The original version has a more complex structure and lyrical progression. This streamlined approach makes it more suitable for a pop arrangement and potentially easier for a wider audience to digest.

• Emphasis on togetherness and enduring friendship: The bridges ("Here we are as in olden days...Faithful friends...") are crucial. They emphasize lasting relationships and cherished memories, bolstering the overall message of hope and enduring joy despite hardships. Bublé's version keeps these lines prominent, highlighting the positive aspects of togetherness.

In short, Bublé's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" takes a classic, originally somewhat sad song, and reshapes it to suit a contemporary, more broadly appealing Christmas aesthetic. It maintains the song's core theme of Christmas cheer but significantly reduces the underlying sense of loss and anxiety, opting for a more straightforwardly optimistic message of hope and togetherness. It's a commercially savvy approach that maintains the song's emotional power while making it more suitable for mass consumption in a modern context.