Christmas Morning

Allison is was asleep and Zachary is spending his first Christmas in his own place, and I couldn't help but pick up the guitar this morning. I was thinking of posting the lyrics to John Prine's "Souvenirs", but I thought, "Nah... it would appear as if I'm melancholy" – which I'm not. Then I thought about posting the lyrics to another Prine song, "Christmas In Prison", but I thought, "Nah... better not."

I've been thinking lately how for a number of years I'd written a Christmas-related song – thanks to the impetus created by my participation in my friend Oscar's A Winter's Tune shows in Grand Rapids (which I haven't been invited to participate in for a couple of years now, thankyouverymuch!). Every November, I'd begin thinking about what I would write, but my muse was often stubborn, not bestowing a song upon me until a day or two before I was to perform it.

Because of my inclination to look for a slightly askew view of Christmas, my songs have mostly dealt with a little darker or cynical side of the season – the last time I sang at Oscar's event, my song – "Home For Christmas (Raise Your Glass)" – dealt with two wayward brothers who bump into each other at a bar on Christmas Eve.

So, this morning, I noodled a bit more on the guitar, singing the aformentioned John Prine songs to myself when I looked out my window and saw the snow on the balcony, an overcast sky and, well... words started popping out.

Now, before you jump to conclusions, you need to know that as a songwriter, I make stuff up in my head. Sort of like mini-movies. Sometimes the stuff I make up is based on personal experiences; sometimes it's based on my imagination; sometimes it's a combination of the two (actually, most times it is). When the ideas start flowing, I generally don't stop them. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't read too much into this...

Merry Christmas Darlin'

by Patrick T. Power

Just look at that falling snow
Just look at that grey morning sky
Just look at those Christmas lights
I see reflecting in your eye
I promise I'll love you
Just as long as you never say goodbye...
Merry Christmas, darlin'

Just look as those shiny bows
Just look at those presents under the tree
Just look at those angels' eyes
Ain't this the way it oughta be?
I promise I'll love you
Just as long as you promise you'll love me...
Merry Christmas, darlin'

All around the living room
Is music, light and laughter
Fun from wall to wall to wall to wall
      (Wall to wall to wall)
Does anyone anticipate the
The dark days that come after
Could anyone imagine it at all?
      (Not at all)

Just look at the kids, dear
Just look at those faces we adore
Just look at this mess dear
Just look at the paper all over the floor
I promise I'll love you
Just as long as you never walk out that door...
Merry Christmas, darlin'
Merry Christmas, darlin'
Merry Christmas, darlin'

Download mp3 (please right-click and save to disc)