I Believe in Father Christmas
Greg Lake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
In the first verse, Greg Lake challenges the traditional notion of Christmas that promises a peaceful day with snow. Instead, reality proved to be different, with it raining heavily and creating a veil of tears for the virgin birth, referring to Mary's tears on the day she gave birth to Jesus. However, he still remembers a Christmas morning from his childhood, when the winter's light shone through and a distant choir sang, creating a magical atmosphere around the pealing of a bell and the smell of a Christmas tree. The collective shared excitement and anticipation of the children filled their eyes with tinsel and fire, which he reminisces fondly.
In the second verse, Lake shares his disillusionment with the fairy tales he was fed as a child, which sold him a dream of Christmas and a silent night. He believed in the religious aspect of the holiday as an Israelite, and also in Father Christmas, waiting with excited eyes to see him. However, when he wakes up to the first light of dawn, he realizes that Father Christmas is nothing but a disguise. Nevertheless, he ends on a hopeful note, wishing his audience a better tomorrow, free from pain and sadness, and signs off with the powerful message that the Christmas we receive is what we deserve, whether it be heaven or hell.
Line by Line Meaning
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
People told me that Christmas would be beautiful and white, with snow on the ground.
They said there'll be peace on earth
Others said that Christmas was a time for peace, goodwill toward men, and all people coming together.
But instead it just kept on raining
However, it rained instead, making everything dreary and sad.
A veil of tears for the virgin birth
The birth of Jesus was supposed to be a joyous occasion, yet it was marred with tears and sadness.
I remember one Christmas morning
I have a fond memory of one specific Christmas Day.
A winter's light and a distant choir
The light of winter, along with a faraway chorus, added to the magic of the season.
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell
The sound of bells ringing and the comforting scent of the Christmas tree helped create a festive atmosphere.
And their eyes full of tinsel and fire
Their eyes were bright, filled with excitement and wonder at the Christmas decorations.
They sold me a dream of Christmas
I was sold an idea of what Christmas should be like, a perfect holiday where everything was wonderful.
They sold me a silent night
I was told that the night of Jesus' birth was a peaceful, quiet evening.
And they told me a fairy story
I was given a fantastical story about a baby being born in a manger, with angels singing and wise men bringing gifts.
'Til I believed in the Israelite
I ended up believing in the story of Jesus as the Son of God and a savior, just as I was taught.
And I believed in father Christmas
I also believed in the mythological figure of Santa Claus, who brings gifts on Christmas Eve.
I looked to the sky with excited eyes
I looked up at the stars with anticipation and eagerness, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa's sleigh.
That I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
However, when I finally awoke the next morning, it was just dawn, and I had missed Santa's visit.
And I saw him and through his disguise
But I caught a glimpse of him, even if he was in disguise, and it added to the magical feeling of Christmas.
I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I hope that Christmas can bring hope and joy to your life.
I wish you a brave new year
I also hope that the upcoming year will be a time for bravery, new beginnings, and positive changes in your life.
All anguish, pain and sadness
All of the dark and difficult emotions and experiences that we have faced.
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
Let go of these painful feelings, and allow your heart to be open to new possibilities and directions in life.
Hallelujah, Noel be it heaven or hell
No matter what, we should find joy and reason to celebrate during this holiday season, even if it seems like everything is terrible.
The Christmas we get we deserve
The type of Christmas that we experience is a reflection of what's in our hearts, how we treat others, and how we approach life in general.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Greg Lake, Peter John Sinfield, Serge Prokofieff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@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 ❤️
@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.....