Lennon Based Christmas Song On Traditional English Ballad

Dear friends and neighbours, today (October 28) marks the 44th anniversary of John Lennon recording the song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over) which he recorded with the assistance of his wife Yoko Ono at the Record Plant recording studio in New York City on October 28, 1971. Lennon’s composition for  “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” seems to be identical to the traditional English ballad “Skewball”, specifically the 1963 rendition (titled “Stewball”) by Peter, Paul and Mary, itself based on the classical version recorded during the early 1940s by folk singer Woody Guthrie. Here it is. Have a listen and see what you think. Oh, and, by the way, war is over. If you want. Thanks John! https://youtu.be/BIVNmhMkNMA
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