This version is from a US Treasury-sponsored "Guest Star" radio show in

December, 1948 promoting the sale of US Savings Bonds.



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





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 d