I well remember Christmas as a boy (2x)
But one day it will all be too distant to recall
So let me tell you how we passed the day
Many years ago on Christmas eve
We opened up our stockings in the morn (2x)
We got a chocolate Santa, a toothbrush and a pen
& Every year we always got the same
Many years ago on Christmas eve
My mom would soak the lutefisk for hours (2x)
The folks who’ve barely tried it complain about the smell
It always smelled like Christmas Eve to me
Many years ago on Christmas eve
We set the finest dishes for the meal (2x)
Todd would mash potatoes and Beth would slice the bread
& Joe would dish the jello into bowls
Many years ago on Christmas eve
The tablecloth was red lace over white (2x)
I would light the candles and everyone would come
Then Mom would read the Bible to begin
Many years ago on Christmas eve
We opened up the presents after that (2x)
Mom with pen and paper to track who gave us what
I mainly hoped my gifts would not be clothes
Many years ago on Christmas eve
And after that the family went to church (2x)
The service was in candle light and I was in the choir
And every year we heard the angels sing
Many years ago on Christmas eve
The Jirele’s had a party after that (2x)
It started after midnight and went till two or three
I even saw my father drinking wine
Many years ago on Christmas eve
And then we’d sleep into the silent night (2x)
And now I well can see it was lovely as a song
And something good was born within my heart
Many years ago on Christmas eve
Words and music by Bret Hesla.
© 2011 Bret Hesla. All rights reserved. Use with permission, please.
Licensed via OneLicense.net. Contact: Bret.hesla@gmail.com.
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My memories of our Christmas Eves as a boy growing up in the 1960s, in Austin, Minnesota.