1. |
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I heard a Christmas song I’ll always remember
Telling a story of a long time ago
A true story – we now call it Christmas
When there is hope and everyone will know
I heard a Christmas song I’ll always remember
These days - so many don’t realize
It’s a Holy Day when we sing about Christmas
And the ancient ones who were so wise
Oh there’s a thousand carols and songs written in history
Centuries of choirs and worshippers with a simple plea
With their Christmas celebrations, in countless congregations
There is anticipation – peace for every nation
- inst break-
I heard a Christmas song I’ll always remember
It made me pause and think why we’re here
Speaking to me like a prayer every December
It’s really many Christmas songs I hear
Oh, so many Christmas songs I hear every year
Speaking to me like a prayer every December
It’s really many Christmas songs I hear
So many Christmas songs I hear every year
So many Christmas songs – I hear
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2. |
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We should get a real Christmas tree
And see our family and friends like it used to be
Let’s have an old-time Christmas this year
We can fill the house with candlelight
And hold each other close by the fire at night
Let’s have an old-time Christmas this year
We’ll send everyone real Christmas cards
With letters and pictures and best regards
Let’s have an old-time Christmas this year
The kids can be in bed early Christmas eve
We’ll tell ‘em there’s a Santa if they believe
We can have an old-time Christmas…Dear
We can shop downtown and avoid the mall
The Christmas parade is fun for all
We can listen to the choir when they light the tree
And see old friends at the Nativity
We’ve been blessed to make a good livin’
And with everything we’ve been given
Let’s have an old-time Christmas this year
-lead break-
I’m gonna hang up some mistletoe
I couldn’t love you more I hope you know
Let’s have an old time Christmas this year
I celebrate with you – my wife
Every year “It’s A Wonderful Life”
Let’s have an old-time Christmas…Dear
-chorus-
We should get a real Christmas tree
And see our family and friends like it used to be
Let’s have an old-time Christmas…Dear
Let’s have an old-time Christmas every year
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3. |
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I was just a rough kid – doin’ what a seventh-grade kid did
Runnin’ with the wrong crowd and foolin’ my Mom and Dad
For Christmas that year I knew – I’d get a new bike and a .22
This was gonna be the best Christmas I ever had
She was kind of pretty – but we gave her no pity
Bullying and putting her down and makin’ her sad
She was a poor and ragged girl I knew nothing about her world
This was gonna be the best Christmas I ever had
She only had torn and stained clothing, but in class she always tried
When our meanness was too much for her, in the coatroom she cried
I didn’t know about homes from hell, where children’s lives are so bad
This was gonna be the best Christmas I ever had
Our teacher hoped to save us – with lessons for life she gave us
She said the joy of giving would make us glad
In that classroom setting - I only cared about what I was getting
This was gonna be the best Christmas I ever had.
It seems that I was fated – to draw the name I thought I hated
How could this happen to me? – Oh I was mad
Wrapping the present we picked out – Mom said there was no doubt
This was gonna be the best Christmas I ever had
I nervously watched that poor girl save the paper & ribbon in her pocket
I’d never seen anyone that happy, as when she held that shiny locket
It was my turn to cry in the coatroom – I wasn’t crying because I was sad
You see - - She gave me the best Christmas I ever had
Soon after Christmas she moved away - As for me, I’m glad to say
People can change – and find the good, instead of the bad
I was just a kid so hateful – She gave me the gift of grateful
And she gave me the best Christmas I ever had
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4. |
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His Grandpa said “The war was fought by ordinary men.”
But they were so much more
They were soldiers bravely serving in a far-away land
In the winter of forty-four
On that Christmas morning he was fighting on the front line
With the battle all around him, he told himself
“There’s gonna come a time….when
I’ll be going home for Christmas.”
That’s all he really wanted that year
His sweetheart and family waited there
Everybody said the same prayer
“Let there be peace on Earth everywhere.”
His Daddy said “The war was fought by ordinary men.”
But they were so much more
They were soldiers bravely serving in a foreign land
In the middle of that Vietnam War
And on that Christmas morning, he was fighting on the front line
With the battle all around him he told himself
“There’s gonna come a time….when
I’ll be going home for Christmas.”
That’s all he really wanted that year
His sweetheart and family waited there
Everybody said the same prayer
“Let there be peace on Earth everywhere.”
He said, “I am just an ordinary man.”
But he went to serve his grateful nation
When the war came to his homeland
He became a soldier in his generation
And on that Christmas morning
His buddies saw a Christmas miracle that day
When no one believed they could save his life
They heard him say
“I’ll be going home for Christmas.”
That’s all he really wanted that year
His sweetheart and family waited there
Everybody said the same prayer
“Let there be peace on Earth, oh let there be peace on Earth
Let there be peace on Earth - everywhere.”
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5. |
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On a cold and snowy Christmas eve
Out on a city sidewalk a young man was playing his guitar
He was singing old Christmas songs
Sometimes he stopped and talked
He said – “Christmas can reveal who we are”
On a cold and snowy Christmas Eve
I stopped and listened and stayed to sing along for a while
He wouldn’t take money for the Christmas songs
He said it was his mission
To bring some Christmas joy and a smile
It was a Silent Night – a Holy Night
Like the song written in a church – way back when
Playin’ it on a guitar – all is calm all is bright
He said “The world will be alright – and then
“Silent Night – a Holy Night again”
On a cold and snowy Christmas Eve
He was kind of like a preacher
Stopping by that night – to bring us the word
And with the message of those Christmas songs
He became a teacher
With a lesson – some had never heard
On a cold and snowy Christmas Eve
A crowd was all around to hear about the ancient Holy Birth
When he sang that final Christmas song
And laid that guitar down
He said, “One day I’ll return to this Earth”
It was a Silent Night – a Holy Night
Like the song written in a church – way back when
Playin’ it on a guitar – all is calm all is bright
He said, “The world will be alright” – and then
“Silent Night – a Holy Night again”
-repeat chorus to end-
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6. |
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It started snowing in New Mexico
She’s out riding in a rodeo
She called from Tulsa and Laredo
She’ll get here for Christmas with the snow
It started snowing in New Mexico
She said it was cold in Durango
She might have to ride in Waco
She’ll get here for Christmas with the snow
Twinkle-twinkle Christmas star
They decorated this old cowboy bar
Nothin’ better to do so far
A senorita sings Christmas songs and plays guitar
Oh I hope I’m not alone for Christmas
Like it was before we found the love we know
And oh…It started snowing in New Mexico
Alleluia-Alleluia, I hear a choir in the cold night air
Alleluia-Alleluia, and I pray she’s safe out there [ guitar :18 ]
Twinkle-twinkle Christmas star…[ repeat chorus ]
It started snowing in New Mexico
When she called I said “I miss you so”
She said “I’m driving through El Paso”
She’ll get here for Christmas with the snow
Alleluia-Alleluia, I hear a choir in the cold night air
Alleluia-Alleluia, I been prayin’ she’s safe out there
It started snowing in New Mexico
When she called I said “I love you so”
She said “I don’t have far to go”
She’ll get here for Christmas with the snow
We’ll have each other for Christmas ‘though…
It started snowing in New Mexico
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7. |
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We need to take good care of Christmas
Don’t let traditions disappear
Gather with family and friends
It’s not about what anyone spends
With every Christmas song we hear
And for the children we hold dear
We need to take good care of Christmas - every year
We need to take good care of Christmas
Don’t let believing disappear
He was born to us long ago
Before anyone could know
We would celebrate Him here
In times of worry and fear
We need to take good care of Christmas - every year
Some say it’s just a holiday
For others - it’s Holy too
In your own way find good reason
To know the joys of the Christmas season
And may it take good care - of you
We need to take good care of Christmas
Don’t let the Christmas spirit disappear
Let it help us keep our hope and trust
Care for each other we must
And give our loved ones far and near
A time of happiness and cheer
We need to take good care of Christmas - every year
So give our loved ones far and near
A time of happiness and cheer
We need to take good care of Christmas - every year
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8. |
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I’ve often heard it said - Christmas is for children
And about this I cannot disagree
I’m planning ahead and my confidence is buildin’
It’s time for grown-up Christmas toys for me
I’ve often heard it said – “Tell it like it is”
So I’m gettin’ out the word – and ideally
No-one should be misled – not friends or relatives
It’s time for grown-up Christmas toys for me
Oh, a bass boat would be nice – with coolers for the ice
A new rod and reel would suit me perfectly
Football tickets to see my team
New golf clubs – a case of Jim Beam
A big RV so I could see this great country
It’s time for grown-up Christmas toys for me
I’ve often heard it said – concerning men and boys
And about this – I cannot disagree
The main difference – I have read, is the price of their toys
It’s time for grown-up Christmas toys for me
Oh a Harley would be fun & the clothes that go with one
Maybe an ATV or a Jet-Ski
Hockey tickets - to see my team
Another case of Jim Beam
A sixty five inch ultra-high definition TV
It’s time for grown-up Christmas toys for me
I’ve often heard it said – Santa is for children
And about this – we’ll have to wait and see
I’ll send Santa my list instead - soon as I have it filled in
Cuz – it’s time for grown-up Christmas toys for me
It’s time for grown-up Christmas toys for me
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9. |
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I hope I make it through another Christmas
It’s my favorite time to celebrate
A time to think of love and generosity and peace
And hope the world may set aside its hate
I’m tryin’ hard to find for everyone what they might want
Undecided and last-minute is my fate
I hope I make it through another Christmas
It’s for guys like me the stores are open late
For nephews and the nieces I bought toys they break in pieces
And lose in their rooms under the bed
And my kids are growing older, their Christmas spirit’s colder
They say, “Dad, just give me the money instead.”
Teenagers go their own way but I can make their day
With anything that gets them on the internet
I see them staring at their screens, downloading it seems
Movies and songs they haven’t gotten (stolen?) yet
-Repeat 1st Section-
For sisters and brothers, in-laws, Dads & Mothers
A plastic gift certificate card
Two cases of imported wine
Grandma and Grandpa are doin’ fine
Bringing Christmas cheer to them ain’t hard
I may be an idealist, but I am still a realist
My lovely bride does for me - the most
What she wants is easy it’s sunny and it’s breezy
And it’s called the Mediterranean coast
Last year, my best buddy gave his wife a vacuum
For the past year he’s been sleeping in the back room
I hope I make it through another Christmas
It’s my favorite time to celebrate
A time to think of love and generosity and peace
And hope the world may set aside its hate
A time to think of love and generosity and peace
And hope for all of us - it’s not too late
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10. |
The Christmas Cards
04:08
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She’s gettin’ ready for Christmas with her little girl’s delight
And she’s makin’ her Daddy’s Christmas card tonight
She tells him it’s not fancy like a card you buy at the store
But he knows it will always mean a whole lot more
And he says…
I know I’ll never see a finer Christmas card
Oh, I will keep it always ‘cause it comes from the heart
So pretty and it’s priceless - truly one of a kind
And this card is a perfect gift of love – at Christmas time
She’s getting’ ready for Christmas more than 20 years have passed
And this year she married her true love at last
With a Christmas card and memories that don’t come from a store
There’s love inside like the card she made when she made
When she was four - And he says…
I know I’ll never see a finer Christmas card
Oh, I will keep it always ‘cause it comes from the heart
So pretty and it’s priceless - truly one of a kind
And this card is a perfect gift of love – at Christmas time
Christmas we anticipate – but we should always know
The gift of love we celebrate from the child born long ago
They’re gettin’ ready for Christmas – oh they love their little girl
She’s helpin’ with Christmas lights Makin’ Christmas cards tonight
She knows the words to write – and all about the meaning of Christmas
I know I’ll never see a finer Christmas card
Oh, I will keep it always ‘cause it comes from the heart
So pretty and it’s priceless – truly one of a kind
And this card is a perfect gift of love – at Christmas time
This card is a perfect gift of love – at Christmas time
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11. |
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It was the night after Christmas
And all through my heart
Lonely feelings were stirring
We were so far apart
Though I knew it was only temporary
Christmas without you ain’t nearly so merry
It was the night after Christmas
And all I wanted – was you with me
It was the night after Christmas
My dreams of you – I’ll always keep
As I settle in again
For another long winter’s sleep
A noble calling has taken you across the sea
Your time and place to help humanity
It was the night after Christmas
And all I wanted – was you with me
It can be so easy to get lost
In the moments and events
The Christmas burdens and the cost
At times it won’t make sense
With all the greetings and meanings
We attach to Christmas time
Love is still the greatest gift
And I pray yours comes home to mine
It was the night after Christmas
The moon on the new-fallen snow
Angels like you bring hope and wonder
The Christmas spirit lives in your soul
A part of life’s eternal story
The Christmas miracle and glory
It was the night after Christmas
And all I wanted - was you with me
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Walt Hoagland Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Walt Hoagland has recorded with Columbia Records
and has been a touring musician and songwriter. He
currently
has more than 65 studio recorded demos of his
original songs, including 11 Christmas songs.
He is seeking to work with established publishers,
music supervisors, and other music professionals.
... more
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