Lyrics to a piece of country music I wrote in 2003. It was recorded privately by a Nashville concern. The recording artist did not quite follow the sheet music I sent with the lyrics, but you can listen to the recording in either MP3 format or WMA format.

Nobody Close at Christmas

I remember Christmas Eve, from days when I was growing up,
How Sis and I would lie awake as long as we were able.
At dawn we tumbled down the stairs and tore into those presents,
And Mom and Dad would read to us the story of the stable.

But that was many years ago, and things are different now.
Mom and Dad are gone to glory, Sis is in a home.
The friends and neighbors went their way, the old home place was sold.
I’m by myself at Christmas now, and growing old alone.
(I’m by myself at Christmas now, and growing old alone.)

I remember Christmas from those early days with Sally.
We bought some pricy presents, though we didn’t have a dime.
When you’re in love, the holidays can conjure up a dream world.
We put a lot on credit, but we had a happy time.

And then the children came along, to fill our lives with joy,
And Christmas Eve we’d read to them the story of the star.
But Sally had enough of me, and left me for a better man,
And the kids are grown and married, and they’ve moved away too far.
(The kids are grown and married, and they’ve moved away too far.)

I finally got religion, and I joined a little church.
At Christmas time we gathered and we sang the Christmas songs.
I thought I’d found some friends to help me celebrate the season,
But then the church broke up ‘cause some folks couldn’t get along.

So I’ve got no one here to share a Merry Christmas with,
No one to exchange gifts with, even ones I can’t afford,
And no one’s help in putting up the tree and all those pretty lights,
Nobody close at Christmas time, just me — and the Lord.
(Nobody close at Christmas time, just me — and the Lord.)

©2003 Richjard Leonard