[INTRO light swing big-band intro, brushed drums, walking bass and piano, saxes and muted trumpets tease the main melody, glockenspiel adds Christmas shimmer, no vocal yet] [VERSE 1 soft but playful male crooner, rhythm section and light horns] There’s a little brick house at the end of the lane Where the snow on the rooftop spells out your name Every window is glowing like a golden flame And the wreath on the door says “Come in, no shame” Kids are racing their shadows on the frosty ground Someone’s tuning up a trumpet with a brassy sound If you’re looking for a place to dodge the winter rain Follow all the laughter down to Holly Lane [PRE-CHORUS band lifts slightly, strings join, vocal leans into the swing] Leave your worries with your overcoat There’s a bit of Christmas in every note [CHORUS big open chorus, full horns and strings, glockenspiel and vibes, crooner opens up, subtle self-doubles on last words] At the house on Holly Lane tonight Every room’s a candle and the world’s alright There’s a punchbowl shining like a ruby sea And a spot beneath the tinsel saved for you and me When the band starts playing that old refrain You forget about the snow and the late-night train If you want to feel like a kid again Come and ring the bell on Holly Lane [VERSE 2 back to lighter swing, sax lines answering vocal phrases] There’s an aunt in the kitchen with a flour-white nose Telling stories ’bout the days of mistletoe and prose Uncle’s got a paper crown crooked on his brow Leading “Deck the Halls” like a general now By the tree there’s a couple stealing little spins Spiked hot chocolate and cinnamon grins And the host just smiles as he tops your glass Says, “Stay a little longer till the blues all pass” [PRE-CHORUS same melody, band steps up a notch] Hang your troubles on the nearest tree There’s a Christmas chorus waiting in the key of “we” [CHORUS repeat main chorus, even more festive, horns punchier, drums and bass bouncing] At the house on Holly Lane tonight Every room’s a candle and the world’s alright There’s a punchbowl shining like a ruby sea And a spot beneath the tinsel saved for you and me When the band starts playing that old refrain You forget about the snow and the late-night train If you want to feel like a kid again Come and ring the bell on Holly Lane [BRIDGE harmonic shift, strings swell, vocal more intimate at first, then building] Outside there’s a city chasing sales and screens Inside there’s a fire and a bowl of dreams Every hand you shake, every song we share Turns a simple little house to a answered prayer [FINAL CHORUS biggest chorus, full brass, strings, glockenspiel sparkle, strong but warm vocal, last lines stretched] At the house on Holly Lane tonight Every heart is glowing in the soft lamplight There’s a choir of friends where the strangers stood And the old year suddenly feels pretty good When the clock hits midnight and the snowdrifts gleam You’ll be dancing in the middle of a Christmas dream If you need a place out of the wind and rain There’s a star above the house on Holly Lane [OUTRO band reprises the chorus melody, muted trumpet and sax trading phrases, tempo easing just a touch, final vocal tag] Yes, I’ll meet you at the house on Holly Lane
