When Happy Days Are Here Again

As the impact of the Great Depression in the fall of 1929 began to reverberate throughout the United States, Jewish composer Milton Ager and Jewish lyricist Jack Yellen released their song, “Happy Days Are Here Again,” at a time when the sufferings of the American people had just begun.

Democrat presidential candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt adopted the song for his 1932 campaign, resulting in his election to the first of three terms as president, likely due to the musical theme of better days waiting beyond the time of hardship (particularly if people voted for him!).

Throughout history people have looked to the future in hopes of a better day when, as the song goes, “the skies above are clear again, so let’s sing a song of cheer again; happy days are here again.”

In sixth century B.C. Israel, the prophet Zechariah received visions of the future of Israel and the Jewish people, a future characterized by enormous, in fact unprecedented, suffering.  However, those visions included the promise of a bright future awaiting them, not only them, but awaiting all of those who know Jesus as their Savior, Lord, and coming King.  

For more on this, let’s turn to Zechariah 14 in the next study in this series, “God Remembers,” an episode entitled, “When Happy Days Are Here Again.”

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Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.