Christmas Day
Dido Lyrics


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A young gentleman
Came riding past on a snow blue winter's day
He asked to drink by our fire
And I was pleased to let him stay
He drank there quietly for a while
And then he turned and said to me

Your eyes are green
Like summer grass
Your lips are red
Like a fresh cut rose
Your hair is soft
Like an Irish stream
And your voice
Is filled with sweet beauty

And the last words I heard him say

Were "I shall return
For you, my love
On Christmas Day"

And the night will come
But I won't sleep
As I watch the stars that lead him
I cannot place where he is
But still my heart goes with him
I'm saving all my Sunday clothes
For the day that I'll be leaving
Father knows
My sister knows
And my friends
They're happy for me
And the priest he says
You should thank God
For the blessing
Of such beauty

And the last words
I heard him say

Were "I shall return
For you, my love
On Christmas Day"

"I shall return
For you, my love
On Christmas Day"

(I shall return for you my love)

And the last words
I heard him say
Were the last words
I ever
Heard him say

I shall return
For you, my love
On Christmas Day
I swear
I will return
On Christmas Day
And yes
I shall return
On Christmas Day
I shall return
For you
On Christmas Day
My love, I will return
On Christmas Day
I shall return
My love
On Christmas Day





On Christmas Day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Christmas Day" by Dido tell a story of a chance encounter with a mysterious young man on a snowy winter's day. The singer welcomes him into her home and the two share a moment of quiet contemplation before the stranger compliments her physical appearance. He remarks on the beauty of her green eyes, red lips, soft hair, and sweet voice. The encounter is fleeting, however, as the young man promises to return to the singer on Christmas Day. She spends the following nights pondering where he could be and prepares herself for his return by saving her Sunday best. The people in her life are encouraging for her and suggest that she should be thankful for the blessing of her natural beauty. The song ends on the repetition of the stranger's promise to return, giving the impression that love might be in the air.


The song's lyrics and melody evoke a sense of anticipation and longing. The singer is left wondering who this mysterious young man could be, and what his intentions are. The imagery of the snow and stars add a sense of magic and wonder to the story, while the repetition of "On Christmas Day" adds a sense of urgency and anticipation. The lyrics paint a picture of a brief but memorable encounter that leaves the singer longing for more. The imagery and story told within the song's lyrics make it a perfect fit for any Christmas-themed playlist.


Line by Line Meaning

A young gentleman
A man on a winter day approached Dido and asked to sit by the fire.


Came riding past on a snow blue winter's day
The man arrived on a cold winter day on a horse.


He asked to drink by our fire
He requested to sit by the fire and get a drink.


And I was pleased to let him stay
Dido was happy to accommodate him.


He drank there quietly for a while
The man stayed with Dido for some time and consumed some drinks.


And then he turned and said to me
Later, the man turned to Dido and started praising her.


Your eyes are green
The man complimented Dido on her beautiful green eyes, comparing them to summer grass.


Like summer grass
The man compared Dido's eyes with the color and freshness of grass in the summertime.


Your lips are red
The man admired Dido's beautiful red lips.


Like a fresh cut rose
The man compared Dido's lips with the color and freshness of a newly cut rose.


Your hair is soft
The man appreciated Dido's soft hair.


Like an Irish stream
The man compared Dido's hair with the gentle, graceful flow of an Irish stream.


And your voice
The man also showed admiration for Dido's voice.


Is filled with sweet beauty
The man expressed his love for Dido's beautiful and soothing voice.


And the last words I heard him say
Before leaving Dido, the man made a promise that he would come back to her on Christmas day.


Were "I shall return For you, my love On Christmas Day"
The man promised Dido that he would return on Christmas day for her.


And the night will come But I won't sleep As I watch the stars that lead him
Dido is restless and unable to sleep because she is eagerly waiting for the man to return.


I cannot place where he is But still my heart goes with him
Although Dido doesn't know where the man is, she still loves him and feels that her heart is with him.


I'm saving all my Sunday clothes For the day that I'll be leaving
Dido is preparing herself to leave with the man when he returns by saving her best outfits for that day.


Father knows My sister knows And my friends They're happy for me
Dido's family and friends are aware of her love for the man and are excited for her to be with him.


And the priest he says You should thank God For the blessing Of such beauty
The priest acknowledges Dido's beauty and suggests that she should be grateful to God for it.


And the last words I heard him say
Dido still remembers the promise that the man made to her.


Were "I shall return For you, my love On Christmas Day"
The man's promise to return to Dido on Christmas day echoes in her ears.


"I shall return for you my love"
The man promises Dido again that he will return for her.


And the last words I heard him say
Dido recalls the last words of the man.


Were the last words I ever Heard him say
Dido realizes that those were the last words that the man ever spoke to her.


I shall return For you, my love On Christmas Day I swear
Dido is confident that the man will return for her and swears it.


I will return On Christmas Day
The man promises Dido that he will return on Christmas day.


And yes I shall return On Christmas Day
The man assures Dido again that he will return on the day he promised.


I shall return For you On Christmas Day
The man confirms to Dido that he will return for her on Christmas day.


My love, I will return On Christmas Day
The man confirms his love for Dido and promises to return for her on Christmas day.


I shall return My love On Christmas Day
The man confirms his love for Dido again and promises to return for her on Christmas day.


On Christmas Day
The day when the man promised to return.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dido Armstrong, Rollo Armstrong

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@patrickstocks3986

A young gentlemen came riding past
On a snow blue winters day
He asked to drink by our fire
And I was pleased to let him stay

He drank there quietly for a while
And then he turned and said to me

Your eyes are green
Like summer grass
Your lips are red
Like a fresh cut rose
Your hair is soft
Like an Irish stream
And your voice
Is filled with sweet beauty

And the last words I heard him say

Were I shall return
For you
My love
On Christmas Day

And the night will come
But I won't sleep
As I watch the stars that lead him
I cannot place where he is
But still my heart goes with him
I'm saving all my Sunday clothes
For the day that I'll be leaving
Father knows
My sister knows
And my friends
They're happy for me
And the priest he says
You should thank God
For the blessing
Of such beauty

And the last words
I heard him say

Were I shall return
For you
My love
On Christmas Day
I shall return
For you
My love
On Christmas Day

(On Christmas Day)

(I shall return for you my love)

And the last words
I heard him say
Were the last words
I ever
Heard him say

I shall return
For you
My love
On Christmas Day
I swear
I will return
On Christmas Day
And yes
I shall return
On Christmas Day
I shall return
For you
On Christmas Day
My love
I will return
On Christmas Day
I shall return
My love
On Christmas Day

On Christmas Day



All comments from YouTube:

@AllyMcLesbian

Dido was born on Christmas 1971. Listening on Christmas 2021 - Happy 50th, Dido!

@pogon4life

Vast majority of Christmas songs sang by popular singers are loud and obnoxious. Dido's "Christmas Day" is a notable exception and proves that a popular singer can bring something different to the genre: calm and hope. Thank you Dido !

@winnied87

So true. I would also mention Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas, which has a chill vibe

@geoffreyharold

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIDO!

@temibobo6147

I am sure legends are here listening in 2021... Merry Christmas

@winnied87

Merry Christmas! 2021

@andradatura7042

2023🎉😃

@kevitet3665

The year's 2020 yet this song is still as beautiful as ever......can't wait for Christmas💐

@winnied87

Christnas 2021☃️🎄

@Blueboy9055

Never get tired of hearing your beautiful voice. Thank you

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