Stan Rogers

First Christmas

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'd known, and leaving was so hard - 
Three thousand miles away, now he's working Christmas Day 
Making double time for "the minding of the store"... 
Well, he'd 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 train station, panhandling for change 
Four more dollars buys a decent meal and a room. 
Looks like the Sally Ann place after all, 
In a crowded sleeping hall that echoes like a tomb 
But it's warm and clean and free and 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 that it won't show... 
First Christmas away from home. 

In the apartment stands a tree, and it looks so small and bare 
Not like it was meant to be 
The Golden Angel on the top, it's not that same old silver star 
You wanted for your own 
First Christmas away from home. 

In the morning, they get prayers, then it's Crafts and tea downstairs 
Then another meal back in his little room 
Hoping maybe that "the boys" will think to phone before the day is gone 
Well, it's best they do it soon. 
When the "old girl" passed away, he fell more apart each day 
Each had always kept the other pretty well 
But the kids all said 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 
And it's huge and cold and lifeless, 
Not like it ought to be 
And the lit-up flashing Santa Claus on top 
It's not that same old silver star you once made for your own 
First Christmas away from home.