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Home For The Holidays
Perry Como Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home

I met a man who lives in Tennessee, he was headin' for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie
From Pennsylvania folks are travellin'
Down to Dixie's sunny shore
From Atlantic to Pacific
Gee the traffic is terrific

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
If you wanna to be happy in a million ways
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home

Take a bus, take a train, go and hop an aeroplane
Put the wife an' kiddies in the family car
For the pleasure that you bring when you make that doorbell ring
No trip could be too far

I met a man who lives in Tennessee, he was headin' for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie (some pumpkin pie)
From Pennsylvania folks are travellin'
Down to Dixie's sunny shore
From Atlantic to Pacific
Gee the traffic is terrific

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
If you want to be happy in a million ways
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home
For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics for Perry Como's "Home for the Holidays" is a nostalgic tribute to the meaning of the holiday season, conveying a message to everyone that nothing beats the feeling of being at home during this joyous time of year. The first verse captures it all, with the declaration that there is no place like home during the holidays. It goes on to detail that no matter where one may find themselves, home is the destination everyone seeks.


The second verse tells a story of two strangers, with one telling the other of his travels to satisfy his craving for homemade pumpkin pie during the holidays. The lyrics then build momentum by describing families from both the north and south travelling to their respective destinations, passing through incredible traffic congestion until they reach the welcoming environment of home. The chorus repeats this fundamental message, stating that it is not just a feeling but a fact that nothing can beat being home for the holidays.


Overall, this song is musically and lyrically rich, with beautiful arrangements that accompany a message of warmth, love, and joy. The song has played a principal role in holiday music over the decades and is undoubtedly a favorite of many.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
The holidays are best spent at home, where you feel the most comfortable and happy.


'Cause no matter how far away you roam
Even if you travel a great distance and see many new things, nothing compares to the warmth and familiarity of home during the holidays.


When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze
When you miss the warm and loving attention of those you care about, being at home for the holidays can provide that sense of connection and belonging.


For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!
Home is the ultimate destination for the holidays, where you can experience joy, love, and comfort in the company of your loved ones.


I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin' for Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie
The song tells a story about a man from Tennessee who is traveling to Pennsylvania for some delicious pumpkin pie that he can only get at home.


From Pennsylvania folks are travellin' Down to Dixie's sunny shore
People from Pennsylvania are also traveling to the southern states, where the weather is warm and sunny, to be with family and loved ones during the holidays.


From Atlantic to Pacific Gee the traffic is terrific!
During the holidays, people all across the country are traveling to be with family and friends, and the roads and highways are crowded with traffic as a result.


If you wanna be happy in a million ways
The song suggests that being at home for the holidays is the key to happiness, as you can experience love, joy and peace in a million different ways.


For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!
The song drives home its message that home is the ultimate place to be for the holidays, where you can find the most happiness and fulfillment.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Stillman, Robert Allen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Barry I. Grauman

Recorded on November 16, 1954.
Perry also had a financial interest in this song, as it was published by "Roncom Music". He KNEW a good song when he heard one.

Kurt Churba

without a doubt my favorite version of the song!

Bob nagel

This song makes me think of the brave men an woman who served in the Korean War.

Gary J

This sounds so good!

tiranchula

Now this is my favorite version!

Roman Carmona

I personally like the 1959 version better. More zip and pop!

Walter Haight

Number 47 on The Billboard Hot 100 12/12/2020

X-105 Strike

should be included on the Fallout 3 or New Vegas

- Beeman

"The traffic is terrific"

Doesn't terrific usually mean great, because I don't think traffic is ever great during the holidays.

- Beeman

@Darian Trinity That would make sense. lol

I actually have a cover that replaces "terrific" with "horrific". (That's not the only thing they changed. They also changed where the people lived, and where they were heading.)

That should be one of those "burning questions". (If "horrific" and "horrible" mean the same thing, then shouldn't "terrific" and "terrible" mean the same thing too?)

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