I'll Be Home For Christmas
The Manhattan Transfer Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow
And mistletoe
And presents 'neath the tree

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas




If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

Overall Meaning

The Manhattan Transfer's "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a holiday classic that has been covered by various artists over the years. The lyrics of the song depict the longing of someone who is away from their loved ones during Christmas, and the hope that they will be able to make it home for the holiday. The first stanza of the song starts with the singer making a promise that they will be home for Christmas, and that their loved ones can count on them. The second line of the song, "Please have snow", is a wish for the holiday to have a magical ambiance, with snowflakes falling gently from the sky, adding to the festive feeling of the season. The line "And mistletoe" refers to the romantic element of the holiday season, where couples exchange kisses underneath the mistletoe. Finally, the singer requests for presents "neath the tree", which is a hallmark of Christmas day celebration.


The second stanza of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" paints a picture of how the singer imagines their Christmas Eve will be, full of love and gleaming lights. It is a sharp contrast to the loneliness and longing that they feel while away from family, friends and loved ones. However, the singer acknowledges that they might not be able to make the journey back home for Christmas day, hence the line "If only in my dreams". This line is a poignant reminder of how the holiday season can be both joyful and bittersweet, especially when unable to be with family and friends.


Line by Line Meaning

I'll be home for Christmas
I will make sure to be home with my loved ones for Christmas


You can count on me
You can trust that I will be there for Christmas


Please have snow
I hope to have a white Christmas with snowfall


And mistletoe
I want to experience the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe


And presents 'neath the tree
I look forward to giving and receiving gifts under the Christmas tree


Christmas eve will find me
On Christmas Eve, I will be in a special place


Where the love light gleams
I will be with someone I care about deeply


I'll be home for Christmas
I hope to be home for Christmas


If only in my dreams
Even if I am unable to physically be there, I will be there in my thoughts and dreams




Lyrics © GANNON & KENT MUSIC CO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Buck Ram, Walter Kent, Kim Gannon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions