That Was the Worst Christmas Ever
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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Going outside, shoveling snow in the driveway, driveway
Taking our shoes, riding a sled down the hillside, hillside
Can you say what you want? Can you say what you want to be?
Can you be what you want? Can you be what you want?

Our father yells, throwing the gifts in the wood stove, wood stove
My sister runs away, taking her books to the schoolyard, schoolyard
In time the snow will rise, in time the snow will rise
In time the Lord will rise, in time the Lord will rise





Silent night, holy night
Silent night, nothing feels right

Overall Meaning

The song "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!" by Sufjan Stevens is a melancholic tune portraying a holiday season that has gone wrong. The first two lines describe a family member shoveling snow from the driveway, and others are riding a sled down the hillside. The lines signify that the family is trying to enjoy the winter season's physical activities, which is a common practice during Christmas. However, the next two lines of the song pose a question, "Can you say what you want? Can you say what you want to be? Can you be what you want? Can you be what you want?" The question does not receive any answer, but it throws light on the idea that the family is struggling to understand their situation.


The third and fourth lines, "Our father yells, throwing the gifts in the wood stove, wood stove. My sister runs away, taking her books to the schoolyard, schoolyard," depict the worsening of the family's Christmas. The father is frustrated and angry, throwing the gifts into the wood stove, whereas the sister runs away to find solace outside, taking her books along to read. The next two lines, "In time the snow will rise, in time the snow will rise. In time the Lord will rise, in time the Lord will rise," suggest that time will heal their wounds, and the Lord will show them hope for a better tomorrow. The last two lines "Silent night, holy night. Silent night, nothing feels right" reveals that the family wants to enjoy the holiday season, but the situation is so dire that it is hard for them to feel the ecstatic holiday spirit.


Line by Line Meaning

Going outside, shoveling snow in the driveway, driveway
We performed an outdoor chore of clearing snow from the driveway


Taking our shoes, riding a sled down the hillside, hillside
We had some fun by taking a sled ride down the hill, wearing our shoes


Can you say what you want? Can you say what you want to be?
Do you have the courage to speak out your heart's desire and your aspirations?


Can you be what you want? Can you be what you want?
Are you prepared to work hard enough to achieve what you aspire to be?


Our father yells, throwing the gifts in the wood stove, wood stove
Our father expresses his frustration by throwing the gifts in the wood stove


My sister runs away, taking her books to the schoolyard, schoolyard
My sister escapes from the situation and seeks solace by reading her books away from home


In time the snow will rise, in time the snow will rise
As time passes, the snow will accumulate and form a deeper layer


In time the Lord will rise, in time the Lord will rise
In due course, the Lord will emerge and bring redemption


Silent night, holy night
The atmosphere appears peaceful and sacred


Silent night, nothing feels right
Despite the peaceful surroundings, there is an uneasy feeling within us




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@alexanderarea6157

Going outside
Shoveling snow in the driveway, driveway
Taking our shoes
Riding a sled down the hillside, hillside
Can you say what you want?
Can you say what you want to be?
Can you be what you want?
Can you be what you want?

Our father yells
Throwing gifts in the wood stove, wood stove
My sister runs away
Taking her books to the schoolyard, schoolyard
In time the snow will rise
In time the snow will rise
In time the Lord will rise
In time the Lord will rise

Silent night
Holy night
Silent night
Nothing feels right



All comments from YouTube:

@Buckskinbeauty

This song will forever be one of those songs that I go back to once every year with a lump in my throat. Brings back so many memories and feelings.. I was in Wisconsin of all places, my first trip to America and I was almost stuck in a blizzard but my plane was the last to leave on my way back home to Sweden. I was in a really bad place mentally and my trip there is nothing more than a blurry haze but this song still hits me right in the feels..

@neonrust

yeah....

@alexanderarea6157

Going outside
Shoveling snow in the driveway, driveway
Taking our shoes
Riding a sled down the hillside, hillside
Can you say what you want?
Can you say what you want to be?
Can you be what you want?
Can you be what you want?

Our father yells
Throwing gifts in the wood stove, wood stove
My sister runs away
Taking her books to the schoolyard, schoolyard
In time the snow will rise
In time the snow will rise
In time the Lord will rise
In time the Lord will rise

Silent night
Holy night
Silent night
Nothing feels right

@SonoranSweetheart

This is the best Christmas song ever. It really is my favorite.

@Prejippie

Our 19 year old daughter has this one on her own Christmas playlist, because she grew up with us playing it. That's why we're including it on our very special episode of Gab & Jam Musical Discoveries 3 Christmas Edition. This is one of our absolute favorite quirky, original songs! 🥀

@salvatoreasara4592

Another Christmas and I'm here to listen to this treasure again: I'd have to thank you forever, Sufjan.

@kennethbransford820

=== What a haunting and beautiful song this is. With the banjo and guitar, and piano blending purely in with the banjo. Genius. ===

@kdidit2136

I don’t give a F that it’s not Christmas I play this year round. Masterpiece

@eduardoj1578

😢
Probablemente mi cancion favorita de la navidad
Feliz navidad a todos en cualquier parte del mundo

@pinpon163

This (2021) was gonna be the first time I enthusiastically celebrate Christmas in 10 years. Welp, I've got covid, and didn't even bother wrapping up the gifts at this point.

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