Christmas

Most Christmas songs are sappy and sad. Some are decent. Others have mistakenly become standards even though they had nothing to do with Christmas, like "A few of my favorite things." Or "I believe in Father Christmas."

This song sounds so regal and somehow like a precursor to Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas album in a way. But the lyrics are so bitter and filled with disappointment. Child's innocence gone, etc. It's apparently a comment on the commercialization of Christmas, too. The last line of the song is also qiute cutting.

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah, Noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas we get we deserve.

Peter Sinfield is an amazing lyricist, having written some of the most memorable lyrics for King Crimson's first iteration before finding success in the 80's and beyond as a pop song lyricist. This song in particular stands out in so many ways. Like it was meant to be in films.

I like my Christmas music more religious though, and when it comes to interpretations, nothing beats the band Low. Their harmonies are achingly beautiful. I was fortunate enough to see them live at CMU when Things We Lost In The Firecame out, nearly 20 years ago. I remember there was a baby in the audience. A literal one. And it was crying. And they started singing and the baby stopped crying. That's all you need to know.

Their version of Silent Night is one of the only Christmas songs I look forward to hearing every year.

Anyway, Merry Christmas. Let this time of the year serve as a reminder that even in the darkness there is still light to be found.