I Believe in Father Christmas
Emerson Lake & Palmer (Holiday) Lyrics


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They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on Earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the Virgin birth
I remember one Christmas morning
A winter's light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree's smell
And their eyes full of tinsel and fire

They sold me a dream of Christmas
They sold me a Silent Night
They told me a fairy story
'Till I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in Father Christmas
I looked to the sky with excited eyes
'Till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him and through his disguise

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on Earth




Hallelujah Noel be it Heaven or Hell
The Christmas we get we deserve

Overall Meaning

The song "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Emerson, Lake and Palmer is a poignant reflection on the meaning of Christmas. The opening lines of the song are ironic, as they describe the contradiction between the idealistic promises of Christmas and the reality of a world plagued by war and suffering. The lyrics "They said there'll be snow at Christmas, they said there'll be peace on Earth, but instead it just kept on raining, a veil of tears for the Virgin birth" create a powerful contrast that highlights the failure of mankind in living up to the promise of the holiday season.


The song then turns to the personal experience of the singer, who remembers a Christmas morning from his childhood. The imagery of "a winter's light and a distant choir, and the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree's smell, and their eyes full of tinsel and fire" creates a nostalgic and sentimental mood, reminding the listener of the magic and wonder of Christmas. However, the nostalgia is tempered by the realization that the joy of the holiday was based on a lie. The singer "believed in Father Christmas" and "looked to the sky with excited eyes, 'till [he] woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn" and found out that there was no magical gift giver, only the reality of a world that is often cruel and disappointing.


The song concludes with a message of hope for the future, as the singer wishes the listener a "hopeful Christmas" and a "brave New Year", expressing the desire to leave behind the pain and sadness of the past and embrace a brighter future. However, the final line of the song, "the Christmas we get we deserve", suggests that the holiday is not just about receiving gifts and being happy, but about taking responsibility for our actions and working to create a world that is more just and compassionate.


Line by Line Meaning

They said there'll be snow at Christmas
Promising snow during Christmas as a sign of its arrival.


They said there'll be peace on Earth
Promising world peace as a symbolic part of the holiday.


But instead it just kept on raining
Contrasting reality with the promised outcome.


A veil of tears for the Virgin birth
Referencing sadness over the birth of Jesus and a sign of how things are not always joyful, even in religious contexts.


I remember one Christmas morning
Recalling a specific moment in time that highlights the holiday spirit.


A winter's light and a distant choir
Setting the scene of a picturesque holiday morning.


And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree's smell
Evoking sensory memories of the holidays.


And their eyes full of tinsel and fire
Describing the joy and excitement seen in children's eyes during Christmas.


They sold me a dream of Christmas
Using Christmas as a way to create high expectations and an idealized image of the holiday.


They sold me a Silent Night
Promising a peaceful and quiet night which is not always the case.


They told me a fairy story
Implanting unrealistic beliefs and fantasy ideas in one's mind.


'Till I believed in the Israelite
Accepting religious ideas that may not hold up to reality.


And I believed in Father Christmas
Fascination and admiration for the legendary figure of Christmas.


I looked to the sky with excited eyes
Anticipation and hope for the arrival of Father Christmas.


'Till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
The harsh awakening to reality setting in after the holiday.


And I saw him and through his disguise
Understanding who Father Christmas really is and accepting it.


I wish you a hopeful Christmas
Wishing the best for all during the holiday season.


I wish you a brave New Year
A courageous outlook for the upcoming year.


All anguish pain and sadness
A message of hope for an end to negative emotions during the holiday season.


Leave your heart and let your road be clear
A motivational message to stay positive and take control of one's future.


Hallelujah Noel be it Heaven or Hell
Positive vibes for a good holiday season despite potential adversity.


The Christmas we get we deserve
Implying that the quality of the holiday season is a reflection of one's actions, thoughts, and beliefs throughout the year.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Greg Lake, Peter John Sinfield, Serge Prokofieff

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

@Denis468

They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the virgin birth
I remember one Christmas morning
A winter's light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell
And their eyes full of tinsel and fire
They sold me a dream of Christmas
They sold me a silent night
And they told me a fairy story
'Til I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in father Christmas
I looked to the sky with excited eyes
That I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him and through his disguise
I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'd be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah, Noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas we get we deserve



@ianmatthews4672

The Christmas we get WE DESERVE !!

WE ARE BLIND FOLLOWERS OF HEINOUS VILE CORRUPT GOVS ..

WE SMILE AND LOOK THE OTHER WAY BUYING THEIR LIES FOR ONE MORE DAY OF TRICKERY BECAUSE WE feel blessed.

It's all fake - just as Greg was illustrating .



You buy the beauty of the song and allow the bombs to destroy at the same time.



They sold you a Dream of Christmas ( of life in fact )

This song like John Cougars " Pink Houses "

" little pink houses for you and me "
" it's the simple man baby that pays the bills " ( taxes)
Pay the bills that KILL"

We get the dreams they sell us as millions die at our ignorant hands



Fools Gold - false hopes
Daydreams and make believes

While you sit in the sun
Sipping spritzers vodka and New England Iced tea



You



All comments from YouTube:

@stussyhuff

Yes it's Christmas 2023.. Anyone listning.. ❤

@joseizquierdo1008

Nobody, the dogs of war are loose nobody listens to the cries and bombs

@stussyhuff

@@joseizquierdo1008
My you are offended 🤡

@chrislapp9468

been listening since '75..🎄

@kappy4493

enjoy your holidays and your life!

@stussyhuff

@@kappy4493
I have a great life. Thank you ❤️

6 More Replies...

@pegitamg9716

It's my miracle song. I suffered a miscarriage on Christmas Eve. At the hospital they confirmed this and scheduled a d&c for later that morning. I was set up to start the procedure when the doctor examining me said "you're still pregnant!" Say what? I guess it was twins and only one died. The other was born on7/4/86!

@p.moorewilson7917

Boy, this song sure resonates in December 2023… 😔💕🎄

@GuyE.

You never spoke a truer word.

@markcf83

More than ever.....

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