"Birthday Card At Christmas"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
Rupi's Dance (2003); The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003); The Ian Anderson Collection (2006)
Got a birthday card at Christmas, it made me think of Jesus Christ
It said, "I love you" in small letters, I simply had to read it twice
Wood smoke curled from blackened chimneys, the smell of frost was in the air
Pole star hovered in the blackness, I looked again, it wasn’t there
People have showered me with presents, while their minds were fixed on other things
Sleigh bells, bearded red suit uncles, pointy trees and angel wings
I am the shadow in your Christmas, I am the corner of your smile
Perfunctory in celebration, you offer content but no style
That little baby Jesus, he got a birthday card or three
Gold trinkets and cheap frankincense, some penny baubles for his tree
Have some time off for good behaviour, forty days, give or take a few
Hey there, sweet baby Jesus, let’s share a birthday card with you
"Holly Herald" (Instrumental)
(The Holly and The Ivy/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)
music by F. Mendelssohn and arranged by Ian Anderson
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
"Last Man At The Party"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
Sister Bridget by the stair, a glass of wine and she’s almost there
Cousin Jimmy at the door, another beer and he’s on the floor
Friends and neighbours come around, waste no time we’re heaven-bound
But not before we raise a glass to good camaraderie
Stinky Joe from down the street, fell right over his own three feet
He’s doubled up in the outside loo to taste again the devil’s brew
Friends and neighbours come around, waste no time we’re heaven-bound
But not before we raise a glass to good camaraderie
So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly and ivy, get to it, and be in good cheer
And when it’s all over, pigs gone to clover, will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year
The house is jumping, suppers up, curried goat in a paper cup
Forks of plastic, knives of tin, who cares what state the goat is in
Someone with the gift of song has brought his pal to sing along
Now they’re turning up old Frank Sinatra on the stereo
So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly and ivy, get to it, and be in good cheer
And when it’s all over, pigs gone to clover, will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year
Sister Bridget by the stair, a glass of wine and she’s almost there
Cousin Jimmy at the door, another beer and he’s on the floor
Friends and neighbours come around, waste no time we’re heaven-bound
But not before we raise a glass to good camaraderie
So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly and ivy, get to it, and be in good cheer
And when it’s all over, pigs gone to clover, will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year
So make yourselves jolly under mistletoe, holly and ivy, get to it, and be in good cheer
And when it’s all over, pigs gone to clover, will the last man at the party wish me a happy New Year
"Pavane" (Instrumental)
music by G. Fauré and arranged by Ian Anderson
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003); Ian Anderson Plays The Orchestral Jethro Tull (2005); Live At Montreux 2003 (2007)
"First Snow On Brooklyn"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
I flew in on the evening plane, is it such a good idea that I am here again?
And I could cut my cold breath with a knife and taste the winter of another life
A yellow cab from JFK, the long way round, I didn’t mind, it gave me thinking time before I ran aground
On rocky memories and choking tears, I believe it only rained round here these thirty years
Now, it’s the first snow on Brooklyn and my cold feet are drumming
You don’t see me in the shadows from your cozy window frame
And last night who was in your parlour wrapping presents in the late hour
To place upon your pillow as the morning came?
Thin wind stings my face, pull collar up, I could murder coffee in a grande cup
No welcome deli, there’s no Starbucks here, a dime for a quick phone call could cost me dear
And the first snow on Brooklyn paints a Christmas card upon the pavement
The cab leaves a disappearing trace and then it’s gone
And the snow covers my footprints, deep regrets and heavy heartbeats
When you wake you’ll never see the spot that I was standing on
I flew in on the evening plane, is it such a good idea that I am here again?
And I could cut my cold breath with a knife and taste the winter of another life
Now, it’s the first snow on Brooklyn and my cold feet are drumming
You don’t see me in the shadows from your cozy window frame
And last night who was in your parlour wrapping presents in the late hour
To place upon your pillow as the morning came?
Some things are best forgotten, some are better half-remembered
I just thought that I might be there on your, on your Christmas night
And the first snow on Brooklyn makes a lonely road to travel
Cold crunch steps that echo as the blizzard bites
"Greensleeved" (Instrumental)
music arranged by Ian Anderson
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)
"We Five Kings" (Instrumental)
music by Rev. J. Hopkins and arranged by Ian Anderson
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003); Ian Anderson Plays The Orchestral Jethro Tull (2005); Live Christmas At St. Bride's 2008 (2009)
Bootlegs: Live In Switzerland 2005 (2023)
"A Winter Snowscape" (Instrumental)
music by Martin Barre
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003); Live Christmas At St. Bride's 2008 (2009)