One of her most widely known singles is "Passionate Kisses" (written by fellow singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams), a song with a rock flavor musically and lyrics listing simple desires such as "a comfortable bed", "food to fill me up", and "time to think". Another big hit was "Down at the Twist and Shout", which she performed in January 1997 at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.
A number of Mary Chapin Carpenter's songs speak to women, urging them on through hard times or troubled relationships. In "He Thinks He'll Keep Her", co-composed by Carpenter and Don Schlitz, the singer makes the case for strength and self-respect. Another common theme in her music is that of taking life at your own pace, rather than rampant goal-driven materialism, such as "The Long Way Home" from her 2001 album Time*Sex*Love, which pokes fun at a man who "retire(s) at thirty to his big-ass house next to the putting green." The album has a relatively different feel musically, incorporating elaborate orchestra melodies, but with her characteristic lyrical depth.
Her album Between Here and Gone, was released in 2004.
Carpenter's 2007 album, The Calling, on Rounder Records' rock/pop imprint Zoë, features commentary about contemporary politics, a reaction to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on a track entitled "Houston," and an incendiary track entitled "On with the Song", dedicated to the Dixie Chicks, and addressing the visceral reaction to the trio. In less than three months after its release, The Calling sold more than 100,000 copies in the US.
Carpenter has won five Grammy Awards and is the only artist to have won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, which she received from 1992 to 1995. On October 7, 2012, Carpenter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Carpenter is a fifth cousin of the late singer and humanitarian Harry Chapin, along with his brothers Tom Chapin and Steve Chapin.
Christmas Carol
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This town puts up its old display
Streetlights hung with candy canes and bows
The earlier it gets each year
The scarcer is my Christmas cheer
I guess I just like taking these things slow
I really don't remember much
Except the year the Beatles came to play
On my record player that came from Sears
That White Album filled my ears
In 1968 on Christmas Day
I haven't been to church since God knows when
I'm not someone who usually attends
Truth be told there's just two wishes
On my list every Christmas
Peace on earth and a snow storm now and then
Now I pray that peace comes in our time
It's hard enough to keep from crying
When every bit of news just breaks your heart
The same old stories, same old songs
We dust them off when Christmas comes
And for one day we just try to do our part
And around here winter seems to come
With rain and mud and bits of sun
It's not exactly Currier and Ives
I don't mind cold if it brings snow
Alberta Clippers coem and go
But a dursting would make everything all right
Perhaps a Christmas eve from long ago
Delivered Christmas day with knee-high snow
It's something lost but not forgotten
Like candy hidden in a stocking
That makes me every year wish it were so
Because Christmas is for children's joy
For every single girl and boy
That's the truth we come to understand
But the memories that don't let go
Like Beatles songs and falling snow
Can make us feel innocent again
And maybe next year we won't go insane
When they rush to hang the bows and candy canes
Because peace will shine in me and you
From Bethlehem to Timbuktu
Even if the forecast is for rain
Because peace will shine in me and you
From Bethlehem to Timbuktu
Even if the forecast is for rain
Mary Chapin Carpenter's song "Christmas Carol" is a reflection of the singer's childhood memories of Christmases growing up, as well as her reflections on the present. In the first verse, she describes the town's preparations for Christmas, but feels that her own Christmas cheer is lacking. She reminisces about the Christmas in 1968 when she got the White Album on her record player from Sears. In the second verse, she describes her current feelings and the two wishes that she has for every Christmas - peace on earth and a snow storm. She then prays for peace in her time, especially given the depressing news cycle. In the third verse, she contrasts the weather of winter in her area with that of Currier and Ives's paintings. She finishes by acknowledging that Christmas is meant for children's joy, but finds that the memories of her childhood bring her back to that feeling of innocence.
The song's lyrics are a reminder to take a step back from the frenzied preparations for Christmas and to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. Carpenter delivers her message in a poignant and gentle manner, without being preachy or judgmental. The song is also unique because it blends Carpenter's personal reflections with universal themes, allowing listeners to relate to the song on a personal level.
Line by Line Meaning
The week before Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means it's almost time for Christmas.
This town puts up its old display
The town has already started putting up decorations for the holiday season.
Streetlights hung with candy canes and bows
The streets are decorated with festive candy canes and bows.
The earlier it gets each year
Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier each year.
The scarcer is my Christmas cheer
I find it harder to get excited about Christmas as I get older.
I guess I just like taking these things slow
I prefer to take things slow and savor the holiday season rather than rushing through it.
I really don't remember much
I don't have many memories of Christmas from when I was younger.
Of Christmasses growing up
I don't have many memories of Christmas from my childhood.
Except the year the Beatles came to play
My most vivid memory of Christmas is the year I received the Beatles White Album.
On my record player that came from Sears
I played the Beatles White Album on the record player that I got from Sears.
That White Album filled my ears
I spent a lot of time listening to the Beatles White Album.
In 1968 on Christmas Day
This all happened on Christmas Day in 1968.
I haven't been to church since God knows when
I haven't been to church in a very long time.
I'm not someone who usually attends
Attending church is not a regular part of my life.
Truth be told there's just two wishes
I only have two wishes for Christmas.
On my list every Christmas
These two wishes are always on my Christmas list.
Peace on earth and a snow storm now and then
I wish for peace on earth and a snowstorm now and then to make the holiday season feel more magical.
Now I pray that peace comes in our time
I hope that we can all find peace in our time.
It's hard enough to keep from crying
The state of the world can be so overwhelming that it's difficult not to cry.
When every bit of news just breaks your heart
The constant barrage of bad news can be heartbreaking.
The same old stories, same old songs
We hear the same Christmas stories and songs every year.
We dust them off when Christmas comes
Even though we've heard them all before, we still listen to these stories and songs when Christmas comes around.
And for one day we just try to do our part
On Christmas Day, we try to do our part to make the day special and meaningful.
And around here winter seems to come
Winter weather arrives in this area.
With rain and mud and bits of sun
The winter weather here is not very pleasant - there's rain and mud, with a few glimpses of sun now and then.
It's not exactly Currier and Ives
The winter weather here is not picturesque like in the Currier and Ives paintings.
I don't mind cold if it brings snow
I don't mind the cold weather as long as it brings snow.
Alberta Clippers come and go
Alberta Clippers (cold air masses from Canada) move through the area.
But a dusting would make everything all right
Even a small amount of snow would make the holidays feel more magical for me.
Perhaps a Christmas eve from long ago
I think back to a long-ago Christmas Eve.
Delivered Christmas day with knee-high snow
That Christmas Eve was followed by a magical snowy Christmas Day.
It's something lost but not forgotten
That magical Christmas is a distant memory, but not completely forgotten.
Like candy hidden in a stocking
That memory is like finding unexpected candy in a Christmas stocking - a pleasant surprise.
That makes me every year wish it were so
Remembering that magical Christmas makes me wish that every Christmas could be like that.
Because Christmas is for children's joy
Christmas is a time for children to experience joy and magic.
For every single girl and boy
All children should be able to experience the joy of Christmas.
That's the truth we come to understand
As we get older, we come to appreciate the magic of Christmas for children.
But the memories that don't let go
The memories of magical Christmases past stay with us forever.
Like Beatles songs and falling snow
Memories of the Beatles White Album and snowy Christmases are among the most vivid for me.
Can make us feel innocent again
These memories of Christmases past can remind us of the innocence and magic of childhood.
And maybe next year we won't go insane
Maybe next year we can find a way to experience the magic of Christmas without getting overwhelmed.
When they rush to hang the bows and candy canes
During the holiday rush, we often feel overwhelmed by the decorations and the chaos.
Because peace will shine in me and you
If we can find our own inner peace, we can help spread peace to those around us.
From Bethlehem to Timbuktu
Peace is something that we all need, no matter where we are in the world.
Even if the forecast is for rain
Even if the weather is bad or things don't go as planned, we can still find peace and joy in the holiday season.
Because peace will shine in me and you
Finding peace within ourselves is the first step to bringing peace to the world.
From Bethlehem to Timbuktu
Peace is something that transcends borders and cultures, and is something that all people can work towards.
Even if the forecast is for rain
No matter what obstacles we face, we can still find peace.
Contributed by Blake N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.