First Christmas

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.