Enjoying the royalty treatment

Every time “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is played on the radio, St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., hears a little jingle at the cash register.

The song’s lyricist, Kim Gannon (of the class of ‘24), stipulated in his will that 30% of the royalties from his songs go to his alma mater upon the death of his wife. His wife died in 2000.

St. Lawrence administrators said they receive about $18,000 a year in royalty payments. Gannon wrote a number of popular songs before his death in 1974, but university spokeswoman Macreena Doyle said most of the money comes from “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Money comes in every time the song is performed or played on the radio, in movies or on television.