Christmas
Roger Daltrey & Steve Winwood Lyrics
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They get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun's ignited.
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heaven's generosity.
Peeping round the door
To see what parcels are for free
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
He doesn't know who Jesus was
Or what praying is.
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
Surrounded by his friends
He sits so silently
And unaware of everything.
Playing poxy pinball,
Picks his nose and smiles and
Pokes his tongue at everything.
I believe in love
But how can men who've never seen
Light be enlightened.
Only if he's cured
Will his spirits future level ever heighten.
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
He doesn't know who Jesus was
Or what praying is.
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
The first verse of the song "Christmas" by Roger Daltrey and Steve Winwood describes the excitement of children on Christmas morning. The children wake up hours before the sun even rises, eager to see what presents will be waiting for them. They are in a state of wonder and belief in the magic of the season, including the idea of heaven's generosity. They peep around the door to see what gifts are in store, filled with curiosity about what they will receive.
However, the second verse takes on a more somber tone. It speaks of a boy named Tommy who is surrounded by friends but sits in silence, unaware of everything. He doesn't know what day it is, who Jesus was, or what praying even means. The repetition of the question "How can he be saved?" suggests that Tommy is in some sort of danger or trouble. The repeated phrase "Tommy, can you hear me?" implies that the singer is attempting to reach out to him, perhaps to help him or offer comfort.
The song ends with the familiar phrases from The Who's Tommy, "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me." The repetition of "Tommy, can you hear me?" and "How can he be saved?" throughout the song creates a sense of urgency and desperation. It is unclear if the singer is able to help Tommy, but the final line suggests that the singer believes in the power of love and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever see the faces of the children,
Have you witnessed the expressions on the children's faces?
They get so excited
They become incredibly enthusiastic
Waking up on Christmas morning
After sleeping, waking up on the day of Christmas
Hours before the winter sun's ignited.
Even before the sun rises in the winter, they are awake.
They believe in dreams and all they mean
The children have faith in their dreams and its purposes
Including heaven's generosity.
They also trust in the magnanimity of the heaven.
Peeping round the door
Sneakily looking from behind the door
To see what parcels are for free
To check which packages they can receive without payment
In curiosity.
Out of keen inquisitiveness
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
Tommy has no idea about the current date
He doesn't know who Jesus was
Tommy has no understanding of the religious figure, Jesus
Or what praying is.
Tommy has no comprehension of communication with deities
How can he be saved
In what manner will he be rescued
From the eternal grave?
Preventing him from being unceasingly dead
Surrounded by his friends
His companions envelop him
He sits so silently
He is seated without uttering any sound
And unaware of everything.
Without having any perception of any situation
Playing poxy pinball,
Engaging in a low-quality pinball game
Picks his nose and smiles and
He inserts his finger into his nostril and grins while doing so
Pokes his tongue at everything.
He puts his tongue out playfully towards almost everything around him.
I believe in love
I have faith in the power of love
But how can men who've never seen
However, how can men who have not witnessed
Light be enlightened.
Be bestowed with knowledge and enlightenment.
Only if he's cured
Only in the scenario where his illness is treated
Will his spirits future level ever heighten.
Will his mental state rise to its potential.
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you listening to me?
How can he be saved?
What can be done to rescue him?
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Be aware, sense, touch, and cure me!
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you listening to me?
How can he be saved?
What can be done to rescue him?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind