Christmas
Steve Winwood & Roger Daltrey 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 Steve Winwood and Roger Daltrey's song "Christmas" is a nostalgic and contemplative look at the magic of Christmas through the eyes of children. The children see Christmas as a time when dreams come true and heaven shows great generosity. The second verse takes on a more serious tone, and directs our attention towards Tommy, a young boy who is so disadvantaged that he doesn't understand basic concepts like religion, faith or prayer. The song suggests that although we can celebrate the holiday season with joy and generosity, we shouldn't forget about those who are less fortunate than ourselves, particularly the marginalized children like Tommy.
The chorus of the song is a plea to reach out and heal those who are in need, particularly Tommy. Tommy is portrayed as someone who hasn't had the opportunity to be enlightened, and therefore has little chance of being saved from the eternal grave. The chorus invites Tommy to "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!" repeatedly, as a way of helping him to understand and feel the love and compassion that the world has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever see the faces of the children,
Have you ever witnessed the joyful expressions of children
They get so excited
They become extremely elated
Waking up on Christmas morning
As they wake up on the day of Christmas
Hours before the winter sun's ignited.
Even before the sun rises during winter, they are already awake
They believe in dreams and all they mean
They have faith in their dreams and the significance behind them
Including heaven's generosity.
They have confidence in the kindness of heaven and its blessings
Peeping round the door
Looking sneakily around the door
To see what parcels are for free
In order to examine the gifts that are for them
In curiosity.
Driven by a sense of inquisitiveness
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
Tommy is not aware of what day it is.
He doesn't know who Jesus was
He's unaware of who Jesus is
Or what praying is.
Neither does he know the meaning of praying
How can he be saved
What is the way for him to be saved?
From the eternal grave?
How can he be protected from perishing eternally?
Surrounded by his friends
Among his group of peers
He sits so silently
He remains seated in silence
And unaware of everything.
Unaware of what's going on around him
Playing poxy pinball,
Playing a simple and insignificant game of pinball
Picks his nose and smiles
Humorously puts his finger in his nose and smiles
and pokes his tongue at everything.
Additionally, he pokes his tongue at various things
I believe in love
I have faith in love
But how can men who've never seen
However, how can people who have never experienced
Light be enlightened.
Be illuminated with knowledge and understanding
Only if he's cured
Tommy can only gain enlightenment and understanding
Will his spirits future level ever heighten.
When his troubles and issues are resolved, he will have the chance to grow and develop
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you able to listen to me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you able to listen to me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you able to listen to me?
How can he be saved?
What must be done to save him?
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Perceive me, sense me, physically contact me, cure me!
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Perceive me, sense me, physically contact me, cure me!
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you able to listen to me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you able to listen to me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you able to listen to me?
How can he be saved?
What must be done to save him?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind