The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Joseph and Mary Chain Lyrics
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And the bells stopped ringing
Everything has changed but me
And the lights don't shine
Like the stars I recall
Many things aren't the way they should be
Sleigh bells ringing
Children singing
Midnight mass and
Santa's hats and
Chocolates on the tree
Time for you and me
Gone are those days
And the world keeps spinning
Everyone keeps moving on
Text you back double booked
In a rush see you soon
Many things aren't the way they should be
Sleigh bells ringing
Children singing
Christmas in the air
Midnight mass and
Santa's hats and
Why don't we care?
Little town of Bethlehem
How quietly he lay
Little baby Jesus
On Christmas Day
On Christmas Day
On Christmas Day
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Little town of Bethlehem
How quietly he lay
Little baby Jesus
On Christmas Day
The Joseph and Mary Chain's song Twelve Days Of Christmas is a melancholic reflection on the changing nature of the holiday season. The opening line, "Gone is the snow," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the song. The snow, which is often associated with Christmas, has disappeared, and the bells have stopped ringing. The singer laments that everything has changed, but they remain the same. They remember how things used to be, with lights shining like stars and the joyous sound of children singing. However, the reality of the present is far from ideal. The world keeps spinning, and people keep moving on. The singer is frustrated with how many things aren't the way they should be.
The chorus of the song brings to mind the traditional imagery of Christmas, with sleigh bells ringing, children singing, and Christmas in the air. There are references to midnight mass, Santa's hats, and chocolates on the tree. However, there is a sense of detachment in the way the words are sung, suggesting that these things no longer carry the same excitement they did in the past. The bridge of the song introduces a new element, with the singer wondering why people don't seem to care about the meaning of Christmas anymore. The final verse returns to a quieter tone, with the mention of the little town of Bethlehem and the baby Jesus peacefully lying there on Christmas Day.
Overall, The Joseph and Mary Chain's Twelve Days Of Christmas is a haunting meditation on the way that time seems to change the essence of the holiday season. The lyrics suggest a longing for a simpler time when the magic of Christmas was more tangible, and people could come together in a shared celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Gone is the snow
Winter is progressing and snow is no longer present
And the bells stopped ringing
The festive spirit is slowly fading
Everything has changed but me
Amidst all the changes, the singer remains the same
And the lights don't shine
The illuminations of Christmas are no longer as bright
Like the stars I recall
The singer reminisces about brighter days
Many things aren't the way they should be
The singer notes that the current atmosphere is far from ideal
Sleigh bells ringing
Sounds that typically signify joy and mirth can still be heard
Children singing
Children are still enjoying the festivities
Christmas in the air
Despite the changes, the holiday season is still present
Midnight mass and
The singer references a traditional Christmas celebration
Santa's hats and
The singer references the presence of Christmas decorations
Chocolates on the tree
The singer notes the common practice of hanging candy on trees
Time for you and me
Amidst everything, the season serves as an opportunity for quality time
Gone are those days
The singer acknowledges the absence of the ideal holiday season
And the world keeps spinning
Life goes on, with or without a perfect holiday season
Everyone keeps moving on
People carry on with their lives despite the holiday season concluding
Text you back double booked
The singer references the common issue of scheduling conflicts
In a rush see you soon
Despite the aforementioned scheduling conflict, plans are still made
Why don't we care?
The singer questions why people don't seem to care about upholding the holiday spirit
Little town of Bethlehem
A reference to the biblical city commonly mentioned during Christmas
How quietly he lay
A reference to the story of baby Jesus being born in a manger
Little baby Jesus
A reference to the religious figure central to Christmas beliefs
On Christmas Day
A reference to the day on which Christmas is celebrated
Oh oh oh
A vocalization of the singer's emotions
Oh oh oh
A continuation of the above
Little town of Bethlehem
A reference to the above
How quietly he lay
A reference to the above
Little baby Jesus
A reference to the above
On Christmas Day
A reference to the above
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Christopher Cortés
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
john patten
Excellence song sung by experts