"Hope."

Now that the Christmas season has officially begun, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the song "Hope."

This song was first sung by Gumdrop the mouse in the H-B special, "A Christmas Story." Six years later, Wilma sang it to Pebbles in "A Flintstone Christmas," while she, Betty, Mr. Slate, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm, and all the other kids waited for Fred and Barney to show up for the Christmas party. Finally, in "Yogi's First Christmas," Boo Boo sang it to Yogi.

Not that I'm complaining. It's a beautiful song that makes me tear up. But each of these specials could have used a new song, instead of recycling an old one, don't you agree?

Hoyt Curtin was Hanna-Barbera's music writer for its programs from the 1960s to the 1980s.

He probably composed the song and got the royalties whenever the song is played in the reruns (with subtle musical changes).

I am a big Filmation fan. Used to recycled images and sounds. Must have never occurred to me that the song was rehashed over for all three specials. Now I will have to re-watch and pay better attention.:)