“Today of ALL DAYS, Count Your Blessings”

Nov 25th “Today of ALL DAYS, Count Your Blessings”

When I’m worried and I can’t sleep,

I count my blessings instead of sheep.

And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

When my bankroll is getting small,

I think when I had none at all.

And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

and…

This song is one of twelve original songs Irving Berlin wrote for the 1942 film “Holiday Inn,” which also included “White Christmas,” the best-selling single of all time.

In this film, the main character Jim, played by Bing Crosby, has given up a life in show business to work on his farm.

He decides to turn the farm into a country inn, open only for holidays.

As he goes through his first year at the Holiday Inn, we hear songs for each season, all through the lens of Jim’s romantic and professional struggles.

By Thanksgiving, he is depressed and lonely, having lost his sweetheart. He has been asked to write a song for a film about his Holiday Inn, which we hear as “I’ve Got Plenty To Be Thankful For.”

This song is quite chipper compared to his mood, and as we hear the song in the movie, Jim has a negative comment to answer every positive notion in the song.

Fortunately for Jim (and the viewer!), shortly after Thanksgiving, Jim makes it back to his love and we get a happy Hollywood ending.

I’ve got plenty to be thankful for I haven’t got great big yacht To sail from shore to shore Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for I’ve got plenty to be thankful for No private car, no caviar No carpet on my floor

Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for I’ve got eyes to see with, ears to hear with Arms to hug with, lips to kiss with Someone to adore

How could anybody ask for more?

My needs are small, I buy ’em all At the five and ten cent store

Oh, I’ve got plenty to be thankful for I’ve got eyes to see with, ears to hear with Arms to hug with, lips to kiss with Someone to adore

How could anybody ask for more?

My needs are small, buy ’em all Five and ten cent store

Oh, I’ve got plenty to be thankful for