Lonely Christmas
The Orioles Lyrics


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It's gonna be a lonely Christmas
Just won't be a holiday
I'll sit here in my room and cry
Because you went and took your loving away

It's gonna be a sad, sad occasion
'Cause this time I know there won't be
Presents wrapped in any fancy paper
On the branches of my Christmas tree

Last year was fine 'cause your love was mine
And I knew you'd come when I call
This year I'll be blue and lonely listening to

The music from the party, 'cross the hall

I could have that Christmas feeling
Every day the whole year through
If you would send the Christmas gift I long for
Darling, tell me once more, "I love you"

Last year was fine 'cause your love was mine
And I knew you come when I call
This year I be blue and lonely listen to

The music from the party, 'cross the hall

Well, I could have the Christmas feeling
Every day the whole year through




If you would send the Christmas gift I long for
Darling, tell me once more, "I love you"

Overall Meaning

The Orioles' "It's Gonna Be A Lonely Christmas" is a heartfelt ballad that reflects the sadness and loneliness of spending the holiday season without a loved one. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's despair as they're left to sit in their room and cry, contemplating the loss of their love. The opening line, "It's gonna be a lonely Christmas, just won't be a holiday," immediately sets the melancholic tone of the song.


The singer reflects on the previous year, where they had their love to share the festivities with, and presents under the tree. However, now that their love is gone, they're left to listen to the music of a party happening under their nose in the next apartment, only compounding their pain. The singer ends by expressing the desire to have that "Christmas feeling" every day of the year, and keep the love and spark alive with their partner.


The lyrics of "It's Gonna Be A Lonely Christmas" are poignant and expressive, as they describe the emotions that many people feel during this time of year. The song was written by Johnny Moore, who was the lead singer of The Orioles, and he co-wrote it with Baltimore record producer Calvin Carter. The song was initially released as a B-side to The Orioles' single "(It's Gonna Be A) Lonely Christmas" in 1953.


Line by Line Meaning

It's gonna be a lonely Christmas
The singer predicts that their upcoming Christmas will be solitary and lonesome.


Just won't be a holiday
Without the presence of the singer's loved one, Christmas loses its festive quality.


I'll sit here in my room and cry
The singer acknowledges the sadness they will feel on Christmas Day and expects to grieve alone.


Because you went and took your loving away
The artist's lover left them, leading to loneliness and desolation during the holidays.


It's gonna be a sad, sad occasion
The artist repeats their belief that Christmas will be a sorrowful, downhearted occasion without their former lover.


'Cause this time I know there won't be
The singer explains the cause of their sorrowful Christmas, which is the knowledge that there won't be a chance of reunion with their lost love.


Presents wrapped in any fancy paper
The singer foresees a bleak holiday season due to the absence of traditional tokens of love, such as wrapped gifts.


On the branches of my Christmas tree
Without the presenter's love, there will be no decoration on their Christmas tree.


Last year was fine 'cause your love was mine
The artist recalls previous Christmas when they were together with their love, and the holiday was jolly because of it.


And I knew you'd come when I call
The artist misses the beloved who would always be there whenever they called during the holidays.


This year I'll be blue and lonely listening to
The singer reiterates their previous sentiment that they will spend their Christmas alone, including listening to music from other people's holiday festivities.


The music from the party, 'cross the hall
The artist hears music from festive parties in their building's apartment and wishes they could participate in such celebrations.


I could have that Christmas feeling
The singer believes that they are capable of experiencing Christmas cheer, despite their current sad state.


Every day the whole year through
The singer believes that they can maintain a Christmas spirit every day of the year, not just during the holidays.


If you would send the Christmas gift I long for
The singer wishes that their lover would return and make them cheerful once more by sending a special gift.


Darling, tell me once more, "I love you"
The artist longs to be loved once again and to hear their lover say the three magic words, "I love you."




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Phil Rose, Sid Sprung

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Corwin

Excellent song that deserves more credit today, I can't believe all these beautiful old songs have such few views.

Kyle Flounder

To be fair, a lot of them have a million re-uploads across YouTube that distribute the viewership some. Don't think several of them like this song do, though.

Cyn M.

I grew up with this song on a wonderful Christmas album. Thanks!

Eileen Ingala

heard this for the first time on sirius/xm 50's on 5 - what a pleasant surprise - love the piano accompaniment

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