Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Brickman enrolled in the Cleveland Institute of Music taking courses in composition and performance, while taking business classes at Case Western Reserve University. His music career started when he was nineteen, when Jim Henson hired him to write tunes for Sesame Street. He was also hired to write commercial jingles while in college.
Brickman writes a wide variety of music. Besides his piano compositions and love songs, he has also created arrangements of other songs. Several of his albums feature arrangements of children's music; he has produced two Christmas-themed albums The Gift (1997) and Peace (2003); and his 2005 album Grace concentrates on arrangements of well-known Christian music.
Jim Brickman has also starred in the now-on-DVD PBS specials "My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman", "Love Songs & Lullabies" and "The Disney Songbook." In 2006, he sponsored his first Jim Brickman Valentine's Day Cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines which has become an annual event.
Where You Lead
Jim Brickman Lyrics
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From sea to shining sea
Jingle bells a-ringing
In keys of liberty
Children celebrating
Santa and his sleigh
Of reindeer who found their way again
Across the home, home of the brave
In a season best to remember
That blessings and bows and mistletoes
Are not without tolls, guardian souls
A soldier has a soldier's duty
That takes no holiday
So because you're far from home this winter
There's one thing I'd like to say
Thank you for the gift of freedom
That lights these holy stars
Thank you for each and every Christmas tree
Across this sacred land of ours
May angels fly beside you
May Heaven steel your hearts
May God remind you in his grace
Though tonight I cannot touch your face
It doesn't matter if you're near or far
It's Christmas where you are
Your chair is empty at the table
Still I take your hand
As we pray for peace in this small world
On our knees we stand
Of this body of this nation
You are the heart and spine
So to each great generation
Of heroes down the line
Thank you for the gift of freedom
That lights these holy stars
Thank you for each and every Christmas tree
Across this sacred land of ours
May angels fly beside you
May Heaven steel your hearts
May God remind you in his grace
Though tonight I cannot touch your face
It doesn't matter if you're near or far
It's Christmas where you are
Everyday is memorial day
Every day the 4th of July
Let all religions celebrate
The freedom that you provide
For if we stand together
We will never fall
Merry Christmas to the one I love
Merry Christmas to one and all
Thank you for the gift of freedom
That lights these holy stars
Thank you for each and every Christmas tree
Across this sacred land of ours
May angels fly beside you
May Heaven steel your hearts
May God remind you in his grace
Though tonight I cannot touch your face
When home seems a hundred million miles away
Just close your eyes and you will see his sleigh
It's doesn't matter if you're near or far
It's Christmas where you are
The song "Are You Sleeping?" by Jim Brickman is a heartfelt ode to American soldiers who spend Christmas away from their families and loved ones. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of Christmas celebrations across America, with stockings hung up and jingle bells ringing. However, the song takes a poignant turn as it acknowledges the sacrifices of soldiers who are not able to be home for the holidays. Despite the festive atmosphere around them, the soldiers have a duty that doesn't take holidays, and they cannot be with their families.
The lyrics express gratitude to the soldiers who protect America's freedom, ensure its security, and who form the spine of American society. The song acknowledges the fact that those who serve in the military perform a daunting task and are the heart of the nation. Although the soldier's chair is empty at the table, the song suggests that there is still a connection between the soldier and their family. In the end, the song sends a message of hope to the soldiers and their families, reminding them that it doesn't matter how far they are away from each other during the holidays, as Christmas can be celebrated wherever they are.
Line by Line Meaning
There are stockings full and waiting
Gifts and presents are ready to be received
From sea to shining sea
Across the nation
Jingle bells a-ringing
The bells of the holiday season are ringing
In keys of liberty
In celebration of freedom
Children celebrating
Young ones rejoicing
Santa and his sleigh
Father Christmas and his ride
Of reindeer who found their way again
Reindeer leading the way through the snow
Across the home, home of the brave
Across the country, the land of the free
Tis the 25th day of December
It is Christmas Day
In a season best to remember
In a time worth remembering
That blessings and bows and mistletoes
The gifts, decorations, and holiday traditions
Are not without tolls, guardian souls
Come at the cost of those who protect and serve
A soldier has a soldier's duty
A serviceman or woman has a commitment to their country
That takes no holiday
That doesn't take a break on a special day
So because you're far from home this winter
Since you're away from home during the season
There's one thing I'd like to say
I have one message to convey
Thank you for the gift of freedom
Grateful for the liberty given
That lights these holy stars
That inspires and illuminates
Thank you for each and every Christmas tree
Grateful for the trees that spark joy
Across this sacred land of ours
Over this precious nation we call home
May angels fly beside you
May Heavenly beings be with you
May Heaven steel your hearts
May the divine protect and strengthen you
May God remind you in his grace
May God give you reminders of His love and mercy
Though tonight I cannot touch your face
Although not face-to-face
It doesn't matter if you're near or far
Distance is not a deterrent
It's Christmas where you are
The season is with you
Your chair is empty at the table
A seat is vacant at the dinner table
Still I take your hand
Yet, I hold on to you
As we pray for peace in this small world
Together, we seek for global harmony
On our knees we stand
As we make supplication
Of this body of this nation
Of this country as a whole
You are the heart and spine
You are the core and backbone
So to each great generation
To each extraordinary group
Of heroes down the line
Of brave individuals in succession
Everyday is memorial day
Each day is worthy of commemoration
Every day the 4th of July
Every day is Independence Day
Let all religions celebrate
All faiths should revel
The freedom that you provide
The freedom that you give
For if we stand together
If we thrive in unity
We will never fall
We will never falter
Merry Christmas to the one I love
Joyous holidays to my beloved
Merry Christmas to one and all
Peaceful festivities to everyone
When home seems a hundred million miles away
When the dwelling feels incredibly distant
Just close your eyes and you will see his sleigh
Merely shut your eyes and picture Santa's ride
When it doesn't matter if you're near or far
When the distance is insignificant
It's Christmas where you are
The season is with you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Merrill Brickman, John Ondrasik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind