Dar Williams - The Christians & The Pagans lyrics

rate me

Amber called her uncle

Said, "We're up here for the holiday

Jane and I were having solstice

Now we need a place to stay"

And her Christ-loving uncle

Watched his wife hang Mary on a tree

He watched his son hang candy canes

All made with red dye number three

He told his niece, "It's Christmas eve

I know our life is not your style"

She said, "Christmas is like solstice

And we miss you and it's been awhile"

So the Christians and the pagans

Sat together at the table

Finding faith and common ground

The best that they were able

And just before the meal was served

Hands were held and prayers were said

Sending hope for peace on earth

To all their Gods and Goddesses

The food was great, the tree plugged in

The meal had gone without a hitch

Till Timmy turned to Amber and said

"Is it true that you're a witch?"

His mom jumped up and said

"The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen

And it was Jane who spoke, she said

"It's true, because she's not a Christian"

"But we love trees, we love the snow

The friends we have, the world we share

And you find magic from your God

And we find magic everywhere"

So the Christians and the pagans

Sat together at the table

Finding faith and common ground

The best that they were able

And where does magic come from?

I think magic's in the learning

'Cause now when Christians sit with pagans

Only pumpkin pies are burning

When Amber tried to do the dishes

Her aunt said, "Really no, don't bother"

Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like

Tim and like her father

He thought about his brother

How they hadn't spoken in a year

He thought he'd call him up and say

"It's Christmas and your daughter's here"

He thought of fathers, sons and brothers

Saw his own son tug his sleeve, saying

"Can I be a pagan?" dad said

"We'll discuss it when they leave"

So the Christians and the pagans

Sat together at the table

Finding faith and common ground

The best that they were able

Lighting trees in darkness

Learning new ways from the old

And making sense of history

And drawing warmth out of the cold