by Litia, age 8, asks about an instrumental Polar Express version, Fiji’s islands, and Christmas history there
Dear Santa,
Bula from Suva. My name is Litia and I am 8 years old. Christmas here is warm and full of music, and my older brother, who plays guitar, has been trying to figure out a gentle film tune by ear, just the melody without any words, humming along as he plays.
My first question is: is there an instrumental version of When Christmas Comes to Town?
My second question is geography: how many islands make up Fiji?
My third question is from school: how did Fiji come to celebrate Christmas alongside its own Pacific traditions?
I left you a slice of coconut cake and a cold glass of coconut water.
Love, Litia, age 8, Suva, Fiji
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Litia, coconut cake and coconut water made a wonderfully refreshing stop on a warm island night. Now, to your brother’s melody hunt, and your other questions.
Is there an instrumental version of When Christmas Comes to Town?
There are indeed instrumental versions of the song, often included on Polar Express soundtrack releases or available through music streaming services as backing tracks, useful for exactly the kind of playing by ear your brother is doing. I cannot hum it out for you here myself, since even a melody without words is still part of a copyrighted song, but a quick search on a licensed music service should turn up an instrumental version he can practise along with, no words required.
How many islands make up Fiji?
Fiji is made up of more than 300 islands, though only around a third of them are inhabited, scattered across the South Pacific Ocean. The two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, are home to most of the population, including your own Suva.
How did Fiji come to celebrate Christmas?
Christianity arrived in Fiji through missionaries in the 1800s, and over time it blended with existing Fijian customs and community traditions, creating a Christmas celebration that carries both Christian meaning and distinctly Pacific island warmth, including large community feasts, church services, and singing that reflects Fiji’s own musical traditions. It is a lovely example of how a holiday can travel across the world and still feel completely at home somewhere new.
Tell your brother his ear is clearly a good one, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
