From the BBC programme in their Soul Music series
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03m79cq

"Martin's collaborator and friend, John Fricke, explains the importance this song had for the composer and the joy he experienced in hearing it covered by every major artist since, from Frank Sinatra to Chrissie Hynde, Punk band Fear to Cold Play, Rod Stewart to James Taylor."

fwiw @ ~8:30 he reads out the 'original' lyrics, missing the Champgne line
and Lord becomes fates


Have yourself a merry little Christmas
It may be your last
Next year we may all be living in the past

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
Next year we may all be many miles away
No good times like the olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who were dear to us
Will be near to us no more

But at least we all will be together
If the fates alow
From now on we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now



Some of the contributors are purely talking about emotional conections to the song but the musicians and writers are @

~6:45 John Fricke

~12:30 Jeremy Summerly

~23:30 Chris Willman & John Fricke.