Ayoung gentle man came riding cross on a snow blue winters day
he asked to drink by our fire and I was pleased to let him stay
he drank there quietly for awhile then he turned and said to me
your eyes are green, like summer grass
your lips are red, like a fresh cut rose
your hair is soft, like an Irish stream
and your voice, is filled with sweet beauty
and the last words that I heard him say
were I shall return for you my love on Christmas day

the night will come that I won’t sleep as I watch the stars that greet him
I can’t not place where he is but still my heart goes with him
I’m Saving all my Sunday clothes for the day that I will greet him
father knows, my sister knows, and my friends, know I’ll be farming
the priest he says. you should thank God. for the blessing of such beauty
and the last words that I heard him say
were I shall return for you my love on Christmas day
I shall return for you my love on Christmas day...

musical interlude

and the last words that I heard him say
were the last words that I ever
heard him say....
I shall return, for you, my love, on Christmas Day
I swear, I will, return, on Christmas day
and yes, I shall, return on Christmas day
I shall, return, for you, on Christmas day
my love, I will, return, on Christmas day
I shall, return. my love. on Christmas day
On Christmas day