[VERSE 1] We used to wrap our scarves up tight Go carol singing in the frosty night Numb little fingers round a charity tin Laughing when the dog joined in Now I say, “Who wants to sing a song?” They roll their eyes and swipe along Somebody snorts at the TV choir Then turns the volume down and scrolls it quieter [CHORUS] Oh, bring back Christmas like it used to be When the lights came out with the first real tree When we knew the faces more than the screens And snow was a wonder, not a background theme I love you all, you mean the world to me But your heads are bowed where your hearts should be So lift your eyes from the small blue sea And bring back Christmas like it used to be [VERSE 2] We used to put the dinner on and that was that One big bird and a bowl where the roasties sat You took what came, said thanks, dug in And fought for the last one in the gravy tin Now it’s five pans boiling, six lists long “This one’s veggie, that one’s strong No meat for him and no dairy for she And can I get my dinner separately?” Christmas used to wait for the first of Dec Now there’s plastic snow in August on the garden deck By November every break on the TV glow Is a perfect family in a perfect snow [CHORUS] Oh, bring back Christmas like it used to be When the shop lights waited for the first frost, see When one roast bird was the star of the show And nobody filmed it for a reel or a “hello” I love you all, you mean the world to me But your heads are bowed where your hearts should be So lift your eyes from the small blue sea And bring back Christmas like it used to be [BRIDGE] I know the world moves on, I know that’s fine You’ve got your choices and I’ve got mine But once this year, round this old tree Could you look up and really look at me? We’ll never get those old days back Carol books soft and the sky pitch black But we could steal a little piece tonight And sing one verse by fairy light [FINAL CHORUS] Oh, bring back Christmas like it used to be Just for a song, just for a memory Put down your phones for a verse or two And I’ll sing the old ones here with you I love you all, you mean the world to me You’re the only gift I’ll ever need So lift your eyes from the small blue sea And let this Christmas be what it used to be [OUTRO – soft humming on the chorus melody, sleigh bells fade]
