He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
Home for Christmas
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This time of year
Tends to weaken me
And have a little decency
And let me cry in peace
But there's a place where I
Erase the challenges I've been through
Where I know every corner,
All by heart
And so it is a part of my
Courageous plan to leave
With a broken heart
Tucked away under my sleeve
I wanna go home for Christmas
Let me go home this year
I wanna go home for Christmas
Let me go home this year
I'll pack my bags
And leave before the sun rises tomorrow
'Cause we act more like strangers for each day
That I am here
But I have people close to me
Who never will desert me
Who remind me frequently
What I was like as a child
And so it is a part of my
Courageous plan to leave
With a broken heart
Tucked away under my sleeve
I wanna go home for Christmas
Let me go home this year
I wanna go home for Christmas
Let me go home this year
I don't know what my future holds
Or who I'll choose to love me
But I can tell you where I'm from
And who loved me to life
And so it is a part of my
Courageous plan to leave
With a broken heart
Tucked away under my sleeve
I wanna go home for Christmas
Let me go home this year
I wanna go home for Christmas
Let me go home this year
The lyrics of Roger Whittaker's "Home for Christmas" tell the story of someone who is struggling emotionally during the holiday season. The singer is asking for a little bit of space and understanding to allow them to cry in peace. Despite the challenges they've faced, there is a special place they can go where they know every corner and street-name by heart. It's a place where they feel safe and can escape from the difficulties of life.
The singer has made the difficult decision to leave with a broken heart tucked away under their sleeve. They plan to go home for Christmas, packing their bags and leaving before the sun rises. They feel like strangers in their current environment and are seeking the comfort of those who never will desert them. They are reminded of what they were like as a child, which brings them back to the simple and carefree times.
Line by Line Meaning
Careful what you say
Watch your words as this time of year is emotionally difficult for me
This time of year
The holiday season
Tends to weaken me
Makes me emotionally vulnerable
And have a little decency
Show some consideration
And let me cry in peace
Allow me to express my emotions without interruption
But there's a place where I
There is a location where I can find solace
Erase the challenges I've been through
Forget about the difficulties I have faced
Where I know every corner,
A place where I am familiar with every detail
Every street-name
I know the name of every street
All by heart
I have it all memorized by heart
And so it is a part of my
It is a component of my
Courageous plan to leave
Brave decision to depart
With a broken heart
Despite my emotional distress
Tucked away under my sleeve
I will hide my pain and sadness
I wanna go home for Christmas
I desire to return home for the Christmas holiday
Let me go home this year
Please allow me to go home this year
I'll pack my bags
I will prepare to leave
And leave before the sun rises tomorrow
I will depart early in the morning
'Cause we act more like strangers for each day
My relationship with those around me feels more distant with each passing day
That I am here
During my stay
But I have people close to me
However, I have loved ones nearby
Who never will desert me
Who will always stand by my side
Who remind me frequently
Who often recall my past
What I was like as a child
My behavior and actions during my childhood
I don't know what my future holds
I am uncertain about what lies ahead
Or who I'll choose to love me
I am unsure who I will fall in love with
But I can tell you where I'm from
But I can confidently state where I originated from
And who loved me to life
And the individuals who shaped my life with love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARIA MENA, MARTIN SJOELIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarabeth Robertson
I had been searching for this song for a long time. My dad loved this song and he passed away at Christmas so I am thankful I finally get to hear it again. Thanks for posting it.
Kristin S.
Reminds me of my childhood!
Mark Herron
Happy birthday to Roger Whittaker his Birth Card ♦️ is Ace of Diamonds Blessings and Hugs 🤗💞🤗🙏🤗🙏!