Jose Mari Chan tweaks ‘Christmas in our Hearts’ lyrics for pandemic times

If there’s one thing that the pandemic hasn’t changed, it’s the time-honored tradition of people playing “Christmas in our Hearts” as soon as the calendar flips to September 1.

Many people play (or belt out) the iconic song at the beginning of September, which marks the start of Christmas season in the Philippines.

This year though, the song’s composer Jose Mari Chan, considered by many to be the king of Philippine Christmas carols, gave the song a little tweak to reflect the times.

In a September 1 interview on GMA’s Unang Hirit, Chan sang the revamped lyrics on air. The new words of the song’s indelible first verse consider a Christmas where the streets are quiet and devoid of carolers, and more people than ever find themselves in need:

“Whenever I hear girls and boys singing carols in my mind/ I remember the past when everything was fine/ Whenever I see people giving gifts to those in need/ I believe this Christmas/ we should be there to lead/ Let’s open up our hearts for a bright tomorrow/ In any way we can and drive out all our sorrow”

“Christmas in our Hearts” is part of Chan’s seventh studio album of the same name, released almost 30 years ago, in November 1990. – Rappler.com