Miley Cyrus Sang a Beautiful Cover of “Happy Xmas” with John Lennon’s Son

When former Seasons 11 and 13 The Voice Coach Miley Cyrus was a musical guest on Saturday Night Live in December 2018, she sang a moving rendition of a well-known Christmas tune: “Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. To make the performance even more impactful, Cyrus brought on their Lennon and Ono’s son, Sean Lennon, for a stunning duet.

During their performance, Cyrus sang with her signature rockabilly twang while Sean Lennon played the guitar and harmonized.  The two were backed by producer (and Barbie soundtrack visionary) Mark Ronson on guitar, who recruited Cyrus for his song “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart.”

Towards the end, Cyrus belted out some pᴀssionate notes, immersing herself in the meaningful lyrics.

Written as a peace activist song during the Vietnam War in 1971, “Happy Xmas (War is Over) was originally recorded by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Harlem Community Choir.

“Happy Xmas (Was Is Over)” has since been covered by John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, Wilco, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, and more.

“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon lyrics

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you had fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas (War is over)
For weak and for strong (If you want it)
The rich and the poor ones (War is over)
The road is so long (Now)
And so happy Christmas (War is over)
For black and for white (If you want it)
For yellow and red ones (War is over)
Let’s stop all the fight (Now)

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas (War is over)
And what have we done? (If you want it)
Another year over (War is over)
And a new one just begun (Now)
And so happy Christmas (War is over)
We hope you have fun (If you want it)
The near and the dear ones (War is over)
The old and the young (Now)

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

War is over, if you want it
War is over, now
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)
Happy Christmas (Happy Christmas)