Two holiday songs

The holiday season is upon us again; shopping, partying, gift-giving, visiting with friends and family, all amid a sour and worsening economy and ugly financial markets.

Which all catches me in a reflective mood. What better method to capture my angst than with excellent music? The two original and amazingly fine songs below deal with the loss of love; both reach for redemption. No surprise, then, that each song was written specifically for the holiday season.

Brandi Carlile's song leaves us guessing if redemption is gained; the song by Over the Rhine (with the extraordinary vocals by Karin Bergquist) leaves no such doubt...

Brandi Carlile: The Heartache Can Wait

You're talking about leaving
It's right about Christmas time
Thinking about moving on
I think I might die inside

I'm thinking about years gone by
I'm thinking about church at midnight
I'm thinking about letting go
I think that might finally be alright
This is where we shine

Silver bells and open fire
And songs we used to sing
One more chance to be inspired
Is what I'm offering if love is not enough
Then stay with me because
The heartache can wait

It's not about hanging on
It's making my deal with God
If I could call one last truce
We've given it all we've got

Then I'm gonna catch my breath
And make it a long December
If we've got nothing left
This could be worth remembering
With a smile upon my face

Silver bells and open fire
And songs we used to sing
One more chance to be inspired
Is what I'm offering if love is not enough
Then stay with me because

Silver bells and open fire
And songs we used to sing
One more chance to be inspired
Is what I'm offering if love is not enough
Then stay with me because
The heartache can wait




Over the Rhine: All I Ever Get For Christmas Is Blue

Strings of lights above the bed
Curtains drawn and a glass of red
All I ever get for Christmas is blue

Saxophone on the radio
Recorded forty years ago
All I ever get for Christmas is blue

When you play my song
Play it slowly
Play it like I'm sad and lonely

Maybe you can solve my mystery
Wrap me in your arms and whisper
You miss me

Weatherman says it's miserable
But the snow is so beautiful
All I ever get for Christmas is blue

It would take a miracle
To get me out to a shopping mall
All I really want for Christmas is you

Let them ring the bells
They won't miss us
I'll be drinking down your kisses

Deep into the night we'll go stealing
Underneath a starry ceiling
Revealing
...

White lights on the Christmas tree
Thank God you are here with me
All I ever get for Christmas is blue
All I ever get for Christmas is blue
All I ever get for Christmas is blue.

Happy Holidays!
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist