The Wainwrights Keep It All In The Family For Festive ‘If We Make It Through December’ On ‘Kimmel’

Siblings Rufus, Lucy and Martha Wainwright joined forces with their father, Loudon Wainwright III, to serve as the musical guests on Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The Wainwrights performed the Merle Haggard-penned classic “If We Make It Through December” on the ABC late-night television show.

“If We Make It Through December” was originally released by Merle Haggard on his 1973 album Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present. The song also served as the title track on Haggard’s non-Christmas album four months later. Haggard kept it real with “If We Make It Through December,” which incorporates themes of unemployment and loneliness.

Lucy Wainwright Roche sang the first verse of “If We Make It Through December” before passing the baton to Martha Wainwright. Rufus Wainwright then took over lead vocal duties with Loudon Wainwright handling the fourth verse. The Wainwrights combined their voices to bring the memorable performance to a close.

Rufus and Martha will present their annual “Hooray for Hollydays” benefit concert at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills tomorrow night, December 6. Loudon Wainwright II, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Annie & Lola Lennox, Beck, Lucy Dacus, Chris Stills, Jordan Firstman and Jake Wesley Rogers will be among the pair’s guests. Net proceeds from the event will go directly to Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project, a heartfelt collaboration established by Rufus and Martha with Cancer Can Rock.

Watch The Wainwrights make “If I Make It Through December” their own on Jimmy Kimmel Live below: