All I Want Is Earth
[INTRO — Soft upright piano, distant church bells, warm room ambience. Intimate, unaccompanied female voice.] [Spoken softly] Somebody asked me yesterday, “What do you really want for Christmas?” And I thought about it… [VERSE 1 — Tender, restrained female soul vocal] I don’t need another ribbon, Don’t need something wrapped in gold. I’ve got more than I can carry, And there’s so much hurt untold. I want the guns to rest in Ukraine, Let the families gather near. Let the children wake on Christmas With their fathers still right here. Let the little ones in Gaza Close their eyes without a sound Of another night of thunder Shaking everything around. [PRE-CHORUS — Gentle Hammond organ enters] If there’s a prayer that crosses borders, If there’s a mercy we can share, Let it find the ones still waiting, Let them know somebody cares. [CHORUS — Warm, soaring but restrained gospel-soul] I don’t need the world beneath my tree, I just want a world where we can breathe. Where a child can dream beyond the night, And no one has to earn the right To wake up safe, to live, to love, To see the morning sun above. If heaven hears one prayer come through, Let there be peace for me and you. [VERSE 2 — Piano, soft acoustic guitar, gentle strings] I want peace across all Israel, Every neighbor, every home. Let the people of Iran Know a freedom of their own. Not another generation Paying for a stranger’s war. Let the doors that fear has fastened Open gently evermore. And I want my family laughing Round a table like before. All the red ones and the blue ones Walking through the same front door. They can argue over football, Pass the gravy, break the bread. Find a hundred things to cherish In the time we have ahead. [PRE-CHORUS — Soulful harmonies enter softly] We don’t have to think alike To make a little room. There’s more that makes us family Than the things that split the room. [CHORUS — Fuller, gentle gospel harmonies] I don’t need the world beneath my tree, I just want a world where we can breathe. Where a child can dream beyond the night, And no one has to earn the right To wake up safe, to live, to love, To see the morning sun above. If heaven hears one prayer come through, Let there be peace for me and you. [BRIDGE — Music strips to piano, deeply personal vocal] Let the billionaires keep reaching For the Moon beyond the blue. Let them chase another frontier, Build a sky they can break through. I don’t need a seat beside them, I don’t need that distant view. All I really want is to spend My time on Earth right next to you. Not a kingdom, not a fortune, Not a headline with my name. Just another Christmas morning Where the ones I love remain. [FINAL CHORUS — Small gospel choir joins, gradual emotional crescendo] I don’t need the world beneath my tree, I just want a world where we can breathe. Where every child can close their eyes And trust they’ll see the morning light. Let there be peace in every land, Let there be kindness hand in hand. And if heaven hears one prayer come through, Let there be peace for me and you. [OUTRO — Choir fades, piano and solo voice] So if you ask me what I want, There’s nothing you can buy. Just a little more compassion While we’re here beneath this sky. [Softly, almost whispered] All I really want Is to spend my time on Earth Right next to you. [END — Piano resolves, one distant Christmas bell.]
