Without you on Christmas Day    (video)

 

    G - C - D - D7     - G - C - D - D7

 

                         - D                                                        C

1. Mid morning        every Christmas Eve we used to gather,

                      G                     A                 D

    it was the perfect way to start the holidays.

                            G                          B7                      C

    We'd have a snack, and then we all would follow father,

                      G                     D                         G

    and to the local just like children we would race.

                            D                                                             C

    And when we got back somewhat worse for wear and reeling,

                            G                         A                     D

    we'd laugh to see the driveway being full with cars.

                                           G         B7                  C

    It might have been the beer, but I remember feeling

                                G                       D                G

    that there could not be a happier family than ours.

 

                        G                            D                 G         - C

Because you were the ones that kept us all together,

                             G                            A                         D

though how you worked your magic none of us could say.

                     G                           B7                     Em         - C

Your blazing fire would drive away the coldest weather.

                      G                       D                           G

What will we do now without you on Christmas Day ?

 

+  C - D - D7

 

                      D                                            C

2. We'd sit around the kitchen table in the evening,

                           G                 A                              D

    you'd get the trifle ready, and we'd peel the sprouts.

                                 G                        B7                               C

    Sometimes we'd sing and father's voice would raise the ceiling,

                              G                       D                            G

    and windows shook with all our laughter and our shouts.

                         D                                            C

    A glass of sherry, and a mince pie, and a carrot

                         G                             A                          D

    for Father Christmas you would put there on the shelf.

                           G                   B7                 C

    And you'd pretend you only did it for the children,

                        G                      D                 G

    but we all knew that it was really for ourselves.

 

                        G                            D                 G         - C

Because you were the ones that kept us all together,

                             G                            A                         D

though how you worked your magic none of us could say.

                     G                          B7                     Em         - C

Your blazing fire would drive away the coldest weather.

                      G                       D                           G

What will we do now without you on Christmas Day ?

 

+  C - D - D7

 

                               D                                              C

3. First thing next morning we would panic in the kitchen

                   G                    A                   D

    until we got the turkey safely “on the go”.

                        G                          B7                            C

    And as we wished each other once more Merry Christmas,

                             G                         D                                  G

    with love and pride both father's eyes and yours would glow.

                          D                                                    C

    And when at last we'd sit around the Christmas table,

                            G                            A                 D

    we'd pull the crackers and we'd wear the silly hats,

                              G                       B7                          C

    and we would praise you for the turkey and for the pudding,

                          G                  D                        G

    but took for granted all the love you laid for us.

 

+  CHORUS      +  C - D - D7

 

                             D                                             C

4. Come Boxing Day, we'd all disperse into our own worlds,

                             G                           A               D

    and thank you both for one more perfect holiday.

                             G                         - B7                                C

    And we would hush the children,        who were asking questions

                         G                      D                     G

    about why Granny cried, as we all drove away.

                            D                                                  C

    And now we know that it's our turn to take the mantle,

                           G                        A                       D

    but we're not sure where to begin and what to do.

                        - G                             B7                     C

    The truth is        that the gap you left no one can handle,

                          G                D                 G

     and none of us can ever be another you.

 

                        G                            D                 G         - C

Because you were the ones that kept us all together,

                             G                            A                         D

though how you worked your magic none of us could say.

                     G                          B7                     Em         - C

Your blazing fire would drive away the coldest weather.

                      G                       D                           C

What will we do now without you on Christmas Day ?

 

                          G                       D                           G

+  What will we do now without you on Christmas Day ?

 

    (George Papavgeris)