Released as an acoustic song on the debut LP by the Dave Matthews Band, Remember Two Things, “Christmas Song” is a retelling of the first Christmas by Matthews.
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The song, which DMB plays live often and has appeared on other albums since its debut, including Live at Luther College and Live at the United Center, is a fan favorite for its nonchalant, real-life portrayal of figures that have been mythologized.
In the end, the song rings a distinct bell, bridging the Biblical with the human experience.
Matthews opens the song by singing:
She was his girl, he was her boyfriend
Soon to be his wife, 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, love
Love, love was all around
Matthews continues with the story of Jesus’ life growing up to becoming the figure we know him as today. The rubbery-voiced frontman sings:
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, love
Love, love was all around
When Jesus Christ was nailed to the his tree
Said “Oh, Daddy-o, 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 our children all around.”
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children’s all around
The song is a reminder about the real center and core of Christmas: to love those around us in the world. To forgive. To focus on appreciation. Sings Matthews:
Father up above,
Why in all this anger do you fill me up with love, love, love?
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around
That is the lesson Jesus learns on the Cross and it’s the one we’re supposed to remember as we watch our holiday movies, eat our confections, open our presents and adore Santa.
Check out three renditions of DMB’s “Christmas Song” below, its original release, acoustic and live with the full band from the Windy City.
Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
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