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Holiday Woe       -       the lyrics 

Put away the bird
Black Friday's come and gone
time for the absurd
décor on the front lawn 

Throw out the pumpkins
cranberries and gourdes
put up lights and holly
to shimmy for the hordes

   What happened to Christmas
   Where did that warmth go
   Those times of peace and joy
   Now it's all about show 

So deck the perfect tree
timed candles in windows
schedule parties and fêtes
dressed in holiday woe 

Buy bigger and better
buy for Mary and Joe
buy uncommon and clever
and more before the snow 

   What happened to Christmas
   Where did that warmth go
   Those times of peace and joy
   Now it's all about show 

Yet through village streets
Norman Rockwell parades
a nod to our heritage
a cry we have strayed       

This Grinch feels alarm
heeds the manger yarn
heads for tranquil farm
peace and joy in the barn 

   What happened to Christmas
   Where did that warmth go
   Simpler times of old
   Veiled in aged Yuletide snow
   Those times of peace and joy
   Lost in holiday woe

   

Indeed...where did the warmth go?
Nice read aj.

I read these well as quality lyrics -- the few bumps in cadence can be smoothed by the vocalist.  I very much like the nostalgic view.

Good stuff, Aimè.   And Happy Holidays.

T 

Thanks Colm and Tracy.

Yes, Tracy, a good vocalist takes an interpretive approach to bumps and it can play out well, sometimes enhances the song.

The last stanza has evolved into 3 new stanzas:

     What happened to Christmas
     That star's soothing glow
     Simpler times of old
     Veiled in Yuletide snow  

   Hold your children close
   Watch their smiles appear
   Safe in youthful hopes
   As you hold back a tear  

     What happened to Christmas
     Where did that warmth go
     Those times of peace and joy
     Lost in holiday woe

 

Very nice revision

Nice, AJ.

You may have written the next Christmas hit. I'm filled with the same sort of longing for nostalgia during the Holidays. When do we get to hear it put to music?


~Deb

Nicely done.  It has certainly changed a lot!

Thanks Tracy, Deb and Poet-e............

I recorded it before Christmas at my "kitchen table" and am now awaiting the magic clean-up work that my friend Shawn does in his basement hide-out/studio.  He's currently "offline", so it might be a while.

When I do post the music it will be in "Commons" in the "Songs - The Other Poetry" thread."

Aj 
  

Looking forward to it.

T

Lots of fun, I could almost hear the music. An honest look at the post-holidays letdown. There's still some in my hometown with christmas decor on the housefront/lawn.