Well, I walked to town in the pouring rain
Paid my fare and I rode that train
to the station under the avenue
Hit the air at the stroke of noon
At the cross streets where I staked my claim
I played in tune with the winter rain
Collecting dimes and dollar bills
While the noisy traffic played the fills
(Chorus)
And it’s Christmas time in the City
When the air is filled with cheer
And the store fronts look this pretty
Only once a year
While the vendors huddled and the taxis honked
I played for change beneath the neon clock
It was dressed up looking like a Christmas tree
Blinking down on that busy street
When the crowd thinned out and the rain had quit
And my fingers felt cold and stiff
I took their money and I closed my case
And headed back towards home again. (Chorus)
(Interlude)
As I walked back to the subway stairs
I had 28 dollars and change for fare
there was an old bag lady with an outstretched hand
and a small Salvation Army band
Playing “Angels We Have Heard on High”
“The First Noel” “O Holy Night”
I folded up one dollar bill
And tucked it down into the till. (Chorus) (Chorus) (Interlude)
And it’s Christmas time in the City.
credits
from Midwinter Moon,
released November 2, 2010
Craig Olson: vocals, guitars, bass
Walker Evans: drums
Music & lyric by Mary Chapin Carpenter