In the mid-1960s Clapton left the Yardbirds to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton formed the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, in which Clapton played sustained blues improvisations and "arty, blues-based psychedelic pop". After Cream broke up, he formed blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. Clapton's solo career began in the 1970s, where his work bore the influence of the mellow style of J. J. Cale and the reggae of Bob Marley. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded with Derek and the Dominos; and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded with Cream. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which was featured on his Unplugged album.
Clapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004 he was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music. He has received four Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his solo career, Clapton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers.
Cryin' Christmas Tears
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I haven't heard a word from you in years
I hear sleigh bells ringin'
But I haven't heard a word from you in years
I hear choirs singin'
And I'm just sittin' here cryin' Christmas tears
Everybody's singin' "Merry Christmas"
Everybody's singin' "Merry Christmas"
As they watch the starry sky filled with reindeer
I'm smilin' on the outside
But on the inside, I'm cryin' Christmas tears
Well you been gone (you been gone)
For a long long time (you been gone)
But it's Christmas and I can't get you off of my mind
Yes, you been gone (you been gone)
For a hundred years or more (you been gone)
You came back and hang
"Merry Christmas" on my door
I need you baby
To hold me tight
I need ya darling
On this Christmas night
And as I sit and think of those long lonely years
I can't help but cry, oh, Christmas tears
Oh, Christmas tears
The lyrics of Eric Clapton's song "Christmas Tears" convey a deep sense of longing and emotional pain during the holiday season. The singer hears the festive sounds of sleigh bells and choirs singing, which should bring joy and happiness, but they are instead reminded of the absence of someone they haven't heard from in years. The contrast between the external merriment and the internal tears is evident as the singer admits to crying Christmas tears while others celebrate.
The lyrics suggest that the person the singer misses has been gone for a long time, possibly even a hundred years or more. However, they suddenly reappear during Christmas and leave a message of "Merry Christmas" on the singer's door. This unexpected return ignites the singer's longing and desire for their presence, wishing for them to hold them tight on this Christmas night.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear sleigh bells ring
I am aware of the joyful sounds of the holiday season
But I haven't heard a word from you in years
However, I have not received any communication from you for a long time
I hear sleigh bells ringin'
I still perceive the cheerful sounds of the holiday
But I haven't heard a word from you in years
But I am still without any news or messages from you after all these years
I hear choirs singin'
I am able to hear the harmonious voices of singing groups
And I'm just sittin' here cryin' Christmas tears
While I am simply sitting here, my eyes are filled with tears of sadness during this Christmas season
Everybody's singin' "Merry Christmas"
Everyone around me is expressing cheerful holiday greetings
As they watch the starry sky filled with reindeer
As they observe the night sky adorned with magical reindeer
I'm smilin' on the outside
Externally, I am displaying a smile
But on the inside, I'm cryin' Christmas tears
However, internally, I am shedding tears of sorrow during this Christmas time
Well you been gone (you been gone)
You have been absent (you have been absent)
For a long long time (you been gone)
For a significant period of time (you have been absent)
But it's Christmas and I can't get you off of my mind
Yet, as it is Christmas, I cannot stop thinking about you
Yes, you been gone (you been gone)
Indeed, you have been absent (you have been absent)
For a hundred years or more (you been gone)
For an extensive amount of time (you have been absent)
You came back and hang
You returned and placed
"Merry Christmas" on my door
A sign saying "Merry Christmas" on my doorstep
I need you baby
I crave your presence, my love
To hold me tight
To embrace me strongly
I need ya darling
I require you, my dear
On this Christmas night
During this particular Christmas evening
And as I sit and think of those long lonely years
While I am seated pondering upon those lengthy and isolated years
I can't help but cry, oh, Christmas tears
I cannot prevent myself from shedding tears of sadness, specifically related to Christmas
Oh, Christmas tears
Oh, tears of sorrow experienced during the Christmas season
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SONNY THOMPSON, ROBERT WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@papaldanondo
Oigo sonar las campanas del trineo
No he oído una palabra tuya en años
Oigo sonar las campanas del trineo
Pero no he oído una palabra tuya en años
Oigo coros cantando
Y estoy sentado aquí llorando
Lágrimas de navidad.
"Feliz Navidad" a todos.
Mientras observan el cielo
estrellado lleno de renos
"Feliz Navidad" a todos.
Mientras observan el cielo
estrellado lleno de renos
Estoy sonriendo en el exterior
Pero por dentro estoy llorando
Lágrimas de navidad.
Has estado fuera tanto tiempo,
mucho tiempo
Pero es Navidad y no puedo ...
sacarte de mi mente
Parece que has estado fuera ...
cien años o más
Pero si estuvieras aquí conmigo ahora.
Colgaría "Feliz Navidad" en mi puerta.
Te necesito cariño
Besame y abrazame fuerte
Te necesito cariño
En una solitaria noche de navidad
Y mientras me siento
y pienso en los años solitarios.
No puedo evitar llorar, oh,
Lágrimas de navidad
Oh, lagrimas de navidad.
@ThomHappy
I hear sleigh bells ring
I haven’t heard a word from you in years
I hear sleigh bells ringin’
But I haven’t heard a word from you in years
I hear choirs singin’
And I’m just sittin’ here cryin’ Christmas tears
Everybody’s singin’ “Merry Christmas”
As they watch the starry sky filled with reindeer
Everybody’s singin’ “Merry Christmas”
As they watch the starry sky filled with reindeer
I’m smilin’ on the outside
But on the inside I’m cryin’ Christmas tears
You been gone such a long, long time
But it’s Christmas and I can’t get you off of my mind
Seems like you been gone a hundred years or more
But if you were here with me now
I’d hang “Merry Christmas” on my door
I need ya darling
Kiss and hold me tight
I need ya darling
On a lonely Christmas night
And as I sit and think of the lonely years
I can’t help but cry, oh, Christmas tears
Oh, Christmas tears
@maryannreed
Pure genius! It is my very favorite Christmas song. After all, Christmas is a love story.
@papaldanondo
Oigo sonar las campanas del trineo
No he oído una palabra tuya en años
Oigo sonar las campanas del trineo
Pero no he oído una palabra tuya en años
Oigo coros cantando
Y estoy sentado aquí llorando
Lágrimas de navidad.
"Feliz Navidad" a todos.
Mientras observan el cielo
estrellado lleno de renos
"Feliz Navidad" a todos.
Mientras observan el cielo
estrellado lleno de renos
Estoy sonriendo en el exterior
Pero por dentro estoy llorando
Lágrimas de navidad.
Has estado fuera tanto tiempo,
mucho tiempo
Pero es Navidad y no puedo ...
sacarte de mi mente
Parece que has estado fuera ...
cien años o más
Pero si estuvieras aquí conmigo ahora.
Colgaría "Feliz Navidad" en mi puerta.
Te necesito cariño
Besame y abrazame fuerte
Te necesito cariño
En una solitaria noche de navidad
Y mientras me siento
y pienso en los años solitarios.
No puedo evitar llorar, oh,
Lágrimas de navidad
Oh, lagrimas de navidad.
@Karu617th
when a Blues player nails it, the song can stir the soul in ways that standard rock music can never do
@joshharvey5689
Karu617th Well said, sir.
@martinmonyela1578
@@joshharvey5689 Thats right!
@Octopusbeak
A talented 12 year could play this, not near how he does. I can play some of his songs, but very very few can put that much feeling, soul, emotion into it. Seriously. He's famous for a reason! \m/
@ajs26g
wow, one of the best blues songs i've heard from clapton! his singing and playing and the band all sounds great!
@vlavlavlavla9536
When Eric plays that solo after he fakes the ending, the whole place should be standing up. That solo is unbelievable. I could cry a river
@ThomHappy
I hear sleigh bells ring
I haven’t heard a word from you in years
I hear sleigh bells ringin’
But I haven’t heard a word from you in years
I hear choirs singin’
And I’m just sittin’ here cryin’ Christmas tears
Everybody’s singin’ “Merry Christmas”
As they watch the starry sky filled with reindeer
Everybody’s singin’ “Merry Christmas”
As they watch the starry sky filled with reindeer
I’m smilin’ on the outside
But on the inside I’m cryin’ Christmas tears
You been gone such a long, long time
But it’s Christmas and I can’t get you off of my mind
Seems like you been gone a hundred years or more
But if you were here with me now
I’d hang “Merry Christmas” on my door
I need ya darling
Kiss and hold me tight
I need ya darling
On a lonely Christmas night
And as I sit and think of the lonely years
I can’t help but cry, oh, Christmas tears
Oh, Christmas tears
@marlonss
The great Eric Clapton strikes again ! What a great performance !! Cheered me up !! : )