Artist: Jethro Tull Album: The Jethro Tull Christmas Album {2003}

Got a birthday card at Christmas
It made me think of Jesus Christ
It said, "I love you," in small letters
I simply had to read it twice
Wood smoke curled from blackened chimneys
The smell of frost was in the air
Pole star hovered in the blackness
I looked again, it wasn�t there

People have showered me with presents
While their minds were fixed on other things
Sleigh bells, bearded red suit uncles
Pointy trees and angel wings
I am the shadow in your Christmas
I am the corner of your smile
Perfunctory in celebration
You offer content but no style

Whoa, that little baby Jesus
He got a birthday card or three
Gold trinkets and cheap frankincense
Some penny baubles for his tree
Have some time off for good behavior
Forty days, give or take a few
Hey there, sweet baby Jesus
Let�s share a birthday card with you

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Once in Royal David�s city 
Stood a lonely cattle shed
Where a mother laid her baby
You�d do well to remember the things He later said
When you�re stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties
You�ll laugh when I tell you to take a running jump
You�re missing the point I'm sure does not need making
The Christmas spirit is not what you drink

So how can you laugh when your own mother�s hungry
And how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong
And if I�ve just messed up your thoughtless pleasures
Remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song

Hey, Santa - pass us that bottle, will you

Hope everybody's ringing on their own bell this fine morning, yeah
Hope everyone's connected to that long distance phone
Old man, he's a mountain
Old man, he's an island
Old man, he's a-waking says
"I'm going to call, call all my children home."
 
Hope everybody's dancing to their own drum this fine morning, yeah
The beat of distant Africa or a Polish factory town
Old man, he's calling for his supper
He�s calling for his whiskey
Calling for his sons and daughters, yeah
Calling, calling all his children round

Sharp ears are tuned in to the drones and chanters warming, yeah
Mist blowing round some headland somewhere in your memory
Everyone is from somewhere
Even if you've never been there
So take a minute to remember the part of you
That might be the old man calling me
 
How many wars you're fighting out there, this Christmas morning, yeah
Maybe there's always time for another Christmas song
Old man, he's asleep now
He's got appointments to keep now
Dreaming of his sons and his daughters
Proving, proving that the blood is strong

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Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow
While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go
"Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame
To warm their bones at Christmas time," say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow

Now, as the last broad oak leaf falls, we beg consider this
There's some who have no coin to save for turkey, wine or gifts
No children's laughter round the fire, no family left to know
"So lend a warm and a helping hand," say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow

As holly pricks and ivy clings your fate is none too clear
The Lord may find you wanting, let your good fortune disappear
All homely comforts blown away and all that's left to show
Is to share your joy at Christmas time with Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow

Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow
While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go
"Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame
To warm their bones at Christmas time," say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow

Sister Bridget by the stair - a glass of wine and she�s almost there
Cousin Jimmy at the door - another beer and he�s on the floor
Friends and neighbors come around, waste no time we�re heaven-bound
But not before we raise a glass to good camaraderie

Stinky Joe from down the street, he fell right over his own three feet
He�s doubled up in the outside loo to taste again the devil�s brew
Friends and neighbours come around, waste no time we�re heaven-bound
But not before we raise a glass to good camaraderie

So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly
And ivy - get to it and be in good cheer
And when it�s all over, pigs gone to clover
Will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year

The house is jumping, suppers up - curried goat in a paper cup
Forks of plastic, knives of tin - who cares what state the goat is in
Someone with the gift of song has brought his pal to sing along
Now they�re turning up old Frank Sinatra on the stereo

So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly
And ivy - get to it and be in good cheer
And when it�s all over, pigs gone to clover
Will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year

Sister Bridget by the stair - a glass of wine and she�s almost there
Cousin Jimmy at the door - another beer and he�s on the floor
Friends and neighbors come around, waste no time we�re heaven-bound
But not before we raise a toast to good camaraderie

So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly
And ivy - get to it and be in good cheer
And when it�s all over, pigs gone to clover
Will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year

So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly
And ivy - get to it and be in good cheer
And when it�s all over, pigs gone to clover
Will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year

Good morning Weathercock
How�d you fare last night
Did the cold wind bite you
Did you face up to the fright
When the leaves spin from October
And whip around your tail
Did you shake from the blast
And did you shiver through the gale

Give us direction, the best of goodwill
Put us in touch with your fair winds
Sing to us softly, hum evening�s song
Tell us what the blacksmith has done for you

Do you simply reflect changes 
In the patterns of the sky
Or is it true to say the weather heeds 
The twinkle in your eye
Do you fight the rush of winter
And hold snowflakes at bay
Do you lift the dawn sun from the fields 
And help him on his way

Good morning Weathercock, make this day bright
Put us in touch with your fair winds
Sing to us softly, hum evening's song
Point the way to better days we can share with you

Good morning Weathercock, make this day bright
Put us in touch with your fair winds
Sing to us softly, hum evening's song
Point the way to better days we can share with you

INSTRUMENTAL

I flew in on the evening plane
Is it such a good idea that I am here again
And I could cut my cold breath with a knife
And taste the winter of another life

A yellow cab from JFK, the long way round
I didn�t mind, it gave me thinking time before I ran aground
On rocky memories and choking tears
I believe it only rained round these thirty years

Now, it�s the first snow on Brooklyn and my cold feet are drumming
You don�t see me in the shadows from your cozy window frame
And last night who was in your parlor wrapping presents in the late hour 
To place upon your pillow as the morning came

The thin wind stings my face, pull collar up
I could murder coffee in a grande cup
No welcome deli, there�s no Starbucks here
A dime for a quick phone call could cost me dear

And the first snow on Brooklyn paints a Christmas card upon the pavement
The cab leaves a disappearing trace, then it�s gone
And the snow covers the footprints, deep regrets and heavy heartbeats
When you wake you�ll never see the spot that I was standing on

I flew in on the evening plane
Is it such a good idea that I am here again
And I could cut my cold breath with a knife
And taste the winter of another life

Now, it�s the first snow on Brooklyn and my cold feet are drumming
You don�t see me in the shadows from your cozy window frame
And last night who was in your parlor wrapping presents in the late hour 
To place upon your pillow as the morning came

Some things are best forgotten, some are better half-remembered
I just thought that I might be there on your, on your Christmas night
And the first snow on Brooklyn makes a lonely road to travel
Cold crunch steps that echo as the blizzard bites

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I believe in fires at midnight
When the dogs have all been fed
A golden toddy on the mantle
A broken gun beneath the bed
Silken mist outside the window
Frogs and newts slip in the dark
Too much hurry ruins the body
I'll sit easy, fan the spark
Kindled by the dying embers 
Of another working day
Go upstairs, take off your makeup
Fold your clothes neatly away
Me, I'll sit and write this love song
As I all too seldom do
Build a little fire this midnight
It's good to be back home with you

Kindled by the dying embers 
Of another working day
Go upstairs, take off your makeup
Fold your clothes neatly away
Me, I'll sit and write this love song
As I all too seldom do
Build a little fire this midnight
It's good to be back home with you
Back home with you
It's good to be back home with you
Home with you, with you

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Now is the solstice of the year
Winter is the glad song that you hear
Seven maids move in seven time
Have the lads up ready in a line

Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells

Join together beneath the mistletoe
By the holy oak whereon it grows
Seven druids dance in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming

Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Ring out, ring out those solstice bells
Ring out, ring out those solstice bells

Praise be to the distant sister sun
Joyful as the silver planets run
Seven maids move in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming
Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out

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