First Christmas

[Bryn Mawr]

Just because :-

First Christmas Away From Home (Stan Rogers)

This day a year ago he was rolling in the snow

With a younger brother in his father's yard

Christmas break, a time for touching home

The heart of all he's known, leaving was so hard

Now three thousand miles away he's working Christmas Day

Earning double time for the minding of the store

He always said he'd make it on his own

He's spending Christmas Eve alone

First Christmas away from home

She's standing by the railway station, panhandling for change

One more dollar buys a decent room and a meal

Looks like the Sally Ann place after all

The vast and dreaming hall that echoes like a tomb

But it's warm and clean and free, there are worse places to be

And at least it means no beating from her dad

And if she cries because it's Christmas Day

She hopes it doesn't show

First Christmas away from home

In the hall they've got the biggest tree but it looks so small and bare

Not like it was meant to be

And the angel on the top it's not the same old silver star

You once made for your own

First Christmas away from home

In the morning there are prayers, then there's tea and crafts downstairs

Then another meal up in his little room

Hoping that the boys will think to call

Before the day is done, well it's best they do it soon

When the old girl passed away he fell apart more every day

Each had always kept the other pretty well

But the boys agreed the nursing home was best

'Cause he couldn't live alone

First Christmas away from home

In the common room they've got the biggest tree, it's huge and lifeless

Not like it was meant to be

The Santa Claus on top it's not the same old silver star

You once made for your own

First Christmas away from home