One hails from St. Louis, has a band, and has been quietly and steadily building a fervent following across the country, stepping outside his role as one of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers to front his own band, The Peter Mayer Group. Melding a unique and eclectic writing style, a distinctive voice, and virtuoso musicianship, Peter and his band create compelling and accessible music that is electrifying in live performance.
The other is a folk singer and hails from Stillwater, MN. This Peter writes songs for a small planet—songs about interconnectedness and the human journey; about the beauty and the mystery of the world. Whimsical, humorous, and profound, his music breaks the boundaries of "folk" and transcends to a realm beyond the everyday love song, to a place of wonder at the very heart of life itself.
This second Peter began playing the guitar and writing songs when he was in high school. He studied theology and music in college and then spent two years in seminary. After deciding that the priesthood wasn't for him, he took a part-time job as a church music director for eight years, while performing at clubs and colleges and writing and recording his music. In 1995, he quit his job and started touring full-time. Since then, Peter has gradually gained a dedicated, word-of-mouth following, selling out shows from Minnesota to Texas, New England to California. He has eight CDs to his credit, and has sold over 50,000 of them independently.
This Christmas
Peter Mayer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New Year's 'round the bend
There must be something more than give and take
What it's all about turns you inside out
'Till you finally see the difference you make
This Christmas this Christmas
There's a gift that only you can give
Give yourself to....
Love is in short supply
Such an obvious demand
Shouldn't be so hard to understand
We hang the lights for hope look for the stars to follow
Peace on earth for what it's worth is in our hands
This Christmas this Christmas
There's a gift that only you can give
This Christmas this Christmas
Give yourself to....
Start with the best of you
Followed by the rest of you
The things you say and the things you do
This Christmas
This Christmas this Christmas
There's a gift that only you can give
This Christmas this Christmas
Give yourself to....
Lend a heart, lend a hand
Make a start, understand
Lend an hour lend a day
Wrap yourself to give away
The lyrics of Peter Mayer's "This Christmas" poignantly highlight the essence of the holiday season. We all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of gift-giving, but there's more to the holidays than presents. The opening lines show us that it's that special time of year again, where we look forward to the arrival of the New Year. However, there's a sense of unfulfillment that comes with simply exchanging gifts, and the song asks us to contemplate the deeper meaning behind the season. It's not just about receiving, but about what we can give to make a difference in the world.
The chorus of "This Christmas" emphasizes the importance of giving ourselves rather than mere material gifts. The song suggests that love is in short supply, and it's a demand that should be easy to understand. Thus, the lights we hang during the holidays represent hope, and looking to the stars symbolizes guidance. We are reminded that peace on earth is in our hands, which further highlights the idea that every action we take has an impact. Therefore, the song ends by asking us to start with the best of us and then cover the rest of us. The things we say and do during the holidays can make a big difference.
In summary, "This Christmas" is a reminder that we should take time to reflect upon what we can do to make someone else's day a bit brighter. The song asks us to share our love and be more understanding towards others. It's a call to arms to make each Christmas a memorable one, by giving the most treasured gift of all, ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Christmas time again
The season of joy and celebration has come upon us once more.
New Year's 'round the bend
The new year is fast approaching, representing a time of renewal, reflection, and hope.
There must be something more than give and take
The true meaning of the season cannot simply be about the exchanging of gifts and material possessions.
What it's all about turns you inside out
The true nature and purpose of Christmas brings one's innermost feelings and thoughts to the surface.
'Till you finally see the difference you make
Only by engaging with the true spirit of the season can you realize the positive impact you can have on the world around you.
This Christmas this Christmas
Emphasizes the importance and uniqueness of this particular Christmas season.
There's a gift that only you can give
Each individual has something special and unique to offer to the world around them.
Love is in short supply
Acts of love and compassion are not as common as they should be.
Such an obvious demand
The need for love and compassion is painfully apparent to those who seek it.
Shouldn't be so hard to understand
It should not be a struggle to comprehend the necessity and value of love and compassion.
We hang the lights for hope look for the stars to follow
The bright lights and stars of the season serve as symbols of hope and inspiration to guide us forward.
Peace on earth for what it's worth is in our hands
It is up to us as individuals to work towards peace and harmony in our lives and in the world at large.
Start with the best of you
Act from a place of inner goodness and generosity.
Followed by the rest of you
Let the rest of your actions and behaviors follow from that initial place of goodness and generosity.
The things you say and the things you do
Our words and actions have a powerful impact on those around us, especially during this season of heightened emotion and sensitivity.
Lend a heart, lend a hand
Offer up your kindness and generosity to those in need around you.
Make a start, understand
Take action and seek to understand the needs of those around you.
Lend an hour lend a day
Offer up your time and energy to make a difference in the world, no matter how small.
Wrap yourself to give away
Your greatest gift to the world is your own love and compassion, which you can freely offer to those around you.
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.