Put The Light On The Tree
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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Put the lights on the tree
(Put them on the tree, put them on the tree)
Put the ribbon on the wreath
(Put it on the wreath, put it on the wreath)

And call your grandma on the phone
(Call her on the phone, call her on the phone)
If she's living all alone
(If she's all alone, if she's all alone)

Tell her Jesus Christ is here
(Tell her He is here, tell her He is here, tell her He is here)
Tell her she has none to fear
(There is none to fear, there is none to fear, there is none to fear)

If she's crying on the phone
(Crying on the phone, crying on the phone, crying on the phone)
Tell her you are coming home
(You are coming home, you are coming home)

La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la




La la la la la la la
...

Overall Meaning

"Put the Lights on the Tree" is a Christmas song by Sufjan Stevens that does not follow the typical theme of Santa Claus or presents, but instead focuses on family and traditional decorations. The opening verses of the song emphasize the act of decorating a tree and a wreath with lights and ribbons, which are Christmas traditions that bring pleasant memories to many families. By emphasizing the importance of these decorations, the song suggests that the act of decorating with loved ones is a way of coming together and creating a sense of warmth and joy.


The second half of the song shifts the focus to the lonely and isolated, specifically the elderly who live alone. The lines "Call her on the phone, call her on the phone" and "If she's all alone, if she's all alone" implore the listener to not forget about elderly family members or acquaintances who may not have anyone to spend the holidays with. The lyrics then suggest comforting them by saying "Tell her Jesus Christ is here, tell her she has none to fear," which alludes to the idea that the presence of loved ones is a way of bringing a warm and hopeful spirit into their lives. The song closes on a hopeful and comforting note, as the final verse suggests that simply telling a lonely relative that you are coming home to spend Christmas with them is enough to make them feel better.


Overall, "Put the Lights on the Tree" is a heartwarming and touching song that reminds us of the importance of being with family and loved ones during the holiday season, as well as the need to not forget about those who may be alone.


Line by Line Meaning

Put the lights on the tree
Put the lights on the Christmas tree


Put them on the tree, put them on the tree


Put the ribbon on the wreath
Decorate the wreath with a ribbon


Put it on the wreath, put it on the wreath


And call your grandma on the phone
Make a phone call to your grandmother


Call her on the phone, call her on the phone


If she's living all alone
If your grandmother is living alone


If she's all alone, if she's all alone


Tell her Jesus Christ is here
Tell her that Jesus Christ is present


Tell her He is here, tell her He is here, tell her He is here


Tell her she has none to fear
Assure her that she need not be afraid


There is none to fear, there is none to fear, there is none to fear


If she's crying on the phone
If she is weeping while speaking to you


Crying on the phone, crying on the phone, crying on the phone


Tell her you are coming home
Tell her that you are on your way home


You are coming home, you are coming home


La la la la la la la
Repeating musical chorus


La la la la la la la
Repeating musical chorus


La la la la la la la
Repeating musical chorus




Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, NEW JERUSALEM MUSIC
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@calvarycork

great news: "Jesus Christ is here" i bought the boxed set for my wife as a pre-Christmas gift and we've been listening to it nonstop all month. such good music.

@tetsjin42

I can't wait to see my grandmother this Christmas. I didn't think I would miss my family this much. I should tell her I'm her grand daughter this year.

@RandomRandomPro

can i get the follow up to this, what I assume is, a VERY interesting story, please?

@privettotheworld

I actually heard this song once an a local alternative station. It was fucking amazing.

@jmlkinc

I simultaneously love and hate how this song makes me cry over my dead grandmother over and over again.

@resyemkr4978

What a great song

@jtf3dgaming16

I love itโค๏ธ

@ecclesiasticbohemian7617

It's that time of year! Happy, Merry Christmas & Holidays ya'll!

@christopherlucas4620

Bojangles seriously needs to bring this song back with the commercial. I thought it would be a classic the first time I saw it, rivaling the Hershey Kisses bell commercial.

@christinelikeschrysanthemu9423

sweet ๐Ÿ’•

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