The Little Christmas Tree
Al Jarreau Lyrics


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I watch
The snow flakes fall
Against my window pane
And wonder if you
Are watching snow
Flakes too

I take a walk downtown
To where
You used to meet me
There's joy everywhere
But all that's
Waiting there

Is just

[Chorus]
A little Christmas tree
Lookin' sorta
Sad n' lonely just like me
No one seems to care
They just went away
And left it standing there
All alone on Christmas Eve

I hear the Christmas bell
The happy people singing
The songs of good cheer
That only brings me tears

I sadly close my eyes
And say a little prayer
You'll be
Waiting there for me
I look but all I see

Is just

[Chorus]

This is the season of love
But I'm as sad as I can be
Why did you have to leave me

Oh





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The Little Christmas Tree by Al Jarreau is a song about loneliness during the holiday season. The song starts with the singer watching the snowflakes fall against his window and wondering if the person he loves is also watching the snowflakes. He then takes a walk downtown to where he used to meet his loved one, but all he finds is a little Christmas tree that looks "sad n' lonely just like me." Despite the joy and happiness that surrounds the holiday season, the singer is consumed by loneliness and sadness because he is missing his loved one.


In the chorus, the little Christmas tree serves as a metaphor for the singer's own loneliness. He feels that no one cares about him or the tree, that they have all gone away and left him standing there all alone on Christmas Eve. The song continues with the singer hearing the Christmas bell and the happy people singing songs of good cheer, which only brings him to tears. He says a little prayer that his loved one will be waiting for him, but all he sees is the little Christmas tree standing alone.


The song expresses the feelings of those who are alone during the holiday season, a time when family and friends gather to celebrate love and joy. It is a reminder that even in a time of happiness and warmth, some people may still feel lonely and sad, missing those who are no longer with them.


Line by Line Meaning

I watch
I gaze intently at the scene before me


The snow flakes fall
Frozen rain drops descend gently from the sky


Against my window pane
Upon the glass of my window, the snowflakes settle


And wonder if you
I am curious if you


Are watching snow
You are observing the white snow


Flakes too
Identical to mine


I take a walk downtown
I venture to the city center


To where
In the direction of the place


You used to meet me
Where we had scheduled to assemble


There's joy everywhere
A plethora of happiness is present


But all that's
Everything that was


Waiting there
In that location and state


Is just
Merely


A little Christmas tree
A small evergreen, adorned for the holiday


Lookin' sorta
Appearing in a way


Sad n' lonely just like me
Depressed and solitary, just as I am


No one seems to care
No individual appears to be concerned


They just went away
They simply departed


And left it standing there
And abandoned the tree, remaining upright and exposed


All alone on Christmas Eve
Solely present on the night before Christmas


I hear the Christmas bell
I detect the sound of the traditional, festive chime


The happy people singing
The joyous individuals singing


The songs of good cheer
The melodies emitting positive, cheerful vibes


That only brings me tears
Causing me to weep


I sadly close my eyes
Reluctantly, I shut my eyes


And say a little prayer
I offer a small, quiet plea


You'll be
You shall be


Waiting there for me
Expectantly anticipating my arrival


I look but all I see
I search for your presence, but all I observe


Is just
Simply


A little Christmas tree
The small evergreen, standing without purpose


This is the season of love
This time of year signifies love


But I'm as sad as I can be
Despite that fact, I am as unhappy as possible


Why did you have to leave me
What was the reason for your departure


Oh
An expression conveying various emotions


[Chorus]
A repeating verse that serves as the song's main message




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mickey Rooney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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