I’m terrible at remembering lyrics. Even for favorite songs I’ve heard dozens of times. It’s an annoying deficiency when I try to sing along as so often I end up having to mumble certain lines.
But now, my yearly Christmas music binge in progress, I’ve started paying attention to the lyrics that have peaked my interest over the years. A phrase, a couplet, a stanza—whatever somehow embodies the Christmas season with lyrical grace.
So, to separate the cookies from the coal, here are my top 20 Christmas lyrics:
20.
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow!
— “Let It Snow”
19.
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
— “Do You Hear What I Hear”
18.
Deck the halls with mistletoe
Let all your heavy burdens go
Up the chimney in a cloud of smoke
The fire’s burning bright
— “Merry Christmas, Here’s to Many More” by Relient K
17.
It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
“Merry Christmas
May your new year’s dreams come true”
— “The Christmas Waltz”
16.
Then comes that big night
Giving the tree the trim
You’ll hear voices by starlight
Singing a Yuletide hymn
— “Mistletoe and Holly”
15.
Later on we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland
— “Winter Wonderland”
14.
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives
— “Sleigh Ride”
13.
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
— “White Christmas”
12.
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings
— “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
11.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
— “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
10.
A thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new glorious morn
— “O Holy Night”
9.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
— “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
8.
Snowflakes a-fallin’
My old heart’s a-callin’
Tall pines a-hummin’
Christmas Time’s a-comin’
— “Christmas Time’s A-Comin'”
7.
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
— “Silent Night”
6.
Repeat the sounding joy
— “Joy to the World”
5.
But what is this music
That falls on my ear
It’s the very first snowfall
Of a very long year
— “First Snowfall” by Over the Rhine
4.
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
— “Angels We Have Heard On High”
3.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams
— “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
2.
Like the petals in our pockets
May we remember who we are
Unconditionally cared for
By those who share our broken hearts
— “Snow” by Sleeping at Last
1.
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
— “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
With special mention to:
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
— “Auld Lang Syne”
Yes, it’s not really a Christmas song, but it’s in It’s A Wonderful Life and it’s the song I want played at my funeral, so it gets grandfathered in.