Christmas Song
TB and piano
One of the things that I’ve always loved about this song by Dave Matthews is how it sort of modernizes the language of the life of Jesus as it’s portrayed in the Bible. There’s nothing about supernatural “angels of the Lord” and, instead, it begins with the story of a husband and wife grappling with the birth of a child; the depiction of the Last Supper that happens later in the song sounds more like a gathering of friends at a going-away party than anything remotely sacred. The Jesus in this song is a very human one and, having sung a lot of sacred repertoire over the years, that’s a side of him I don’t feel like I’ve ever heard about.
The original song—which you should absolutely go listen to—features a lot of “speak singing” over a gentle guitar riff, and I’ve attempted to preserve a bit of that feel with the piano.
Christmas Song was premiered on December 7, 2019 by the Gonzaga University Glee Club (to whom it is dedicated).
Note: There’s a reference in the original lyrics that contains a popular misconception of Mary Magdalen as a repentant sex worker. The erroneous origin of this is easily searchable , but the portrayal of her as something more than just the only female follower of Jesus persists.
The Text
Words & Music by Dave Matthews (b. 1961)
She was his girl, he was her boyfriend.
She’d be his wife, and make him her husband.
A surprise on the way any day, any day.
One healthy little giggling, dribbling baby boy.
The wise men came, three made their way,
to shower him with love while he lay in the hay.
Shower him with love, love, love...
Love, love was all around.
Not very much of his childhood was known.
Kept his mother, Mary, worried, always out on his own.
He met another Mary who, for a reasonable fee,
less than reputable was known to be.
His heart was full of love, love, love...
Love, love was all around.
When Jesus Christ was nailed to his tree, he said,
“Oh, Daddy, oh. I can see how it all soon will be.
I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene.
Instead I fear I’ve spilled
the blood of my children all around...
The blood of our children all around.”
So I’m told, or so the story goes,
the people he knew were less than golden-hearted,
gamblers and robbers,
drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers,
like you and me.
Rumors insisted he soon would be
for his deviations taken into custody
by the authorities, less informed than he.
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers,
Searching for love, love, love...
Love, love was all around.
Preparations were made for his celebration day.
He said, “Eat this bread and think of it as me.
Drink this wine and dream it will be
the blood of our children all around...
The blood of our children all around...”
“Father up above, why in all this hatred
do you fill me up with love?”
Love, love, love...
Love, love was all around.
Performed by the Luther College Norskkor
Dr. Mark Potvin, conductor