[INTRO snare drum military-style roll into stomps and claps, muted brass stabs, sleigh bells on top, crowd murmur and distant carolers fading under, then acoustic guitar joins, set tempo and groove, no vocals yet] [VERSE 1 male lead, dry and close, light brass punctuation, marching feel but playful Boots in the mud and frost on the wire Sergeant says “move” but my bones are tired Letters from home in a sandwich tin Smell like gravy and your cold hands’ skin Radio crackles with some old choir Singing about peace by a blown-out spire They say we are winning, whatever that means While I am drawing you in the snow between the seams] [PRE CHORUS 1 band swells slightly, female harmony joins on tail lines, snare pattern busier They keep counting down their victories I keep counting down the days till these] [CHORUS 1 full brass band, stomps and claps big, sleigh bells bright, crowd “oh-oh”s between phrases I am marching home for Christmas, I do not want to fight Swap this helmet for your halo of cheap fairy lights You can keep your medals, keep your grand parade I just want your kiss in a kitchen we made If I have to cross this frozen earth for you I will march straight through the cannons till my feet break through I am marching home for Christmas, that is my only war Till I am standing in your doorway, boots by the door] [VERSE 2 add more bounce, brass replies, female answers short phrases They drill left, right, left in the sleet and rain But my heart goes north on a different train Where the cracked church bells and the corner shop And the dog that howls when the fireworks pop You hang mistletoe by the busted frame Write my name in icing on a cake I will maim Kids on the telly sing “Let there be peace” While we polish up guns for the grand increase] [PRE CHORUS 2 stronger harmonies, snare and toms build, trumpet countermelody They keep writing brand-new marching songs I keep humming where my soul belongs] [CHORUS 2 repeat chorus, add higher harmony on top line, brass more melodic, crowd “hey!” shouts on backbeats I am marching home for Christmas, I do not want to fight Swap this helmet for your halo of cheap fairy lights You can keep your medals, keep your grand parade I just want your kiss in a kitchen we made If I have to cross this frozen earth for you I will march straight through the cannons till my feet break through I am marching home for Christmas, that is my only war Till I am standing in your doorway, boots by the door] [MIDDLE 8 breakdown to drums, bass, handclaps and low brass, call-and-response gang vocals Band: What do we want? Lead: One quiet night Band: When do we want it? Lead: When the stars burn bright Band: What do we want? Lead: Your hands in mine Band: When do we want it? Lead: At the twelve o’clock chime Then full band hits, brass climbing line, female voice soars over No more names carved into winter stone Just a long road back and a light left on] [BREAKDOWN short, almost a cappella, just soft guitar and sleigh bells, intimate Male: If they send me where the snow turns red Female: I will still march home in my stubborn head Both softly: Till I smell roast smoke and the old front room And we dance by the tree in our socks in the gloom] [FINAL CHORUS biggest yet, full brass, choir, octave harmonies, ad-libs, extended tag I am marching home for Christmas, I do not want to fight Swap this helmet for your halo of cheap fairy lights You can keep your medals, keep your grand parade I just want your kiss in a kitchen we made If I have to cross this frozen earth for you I will march straight through the cannons till my feet break through I am marching home for Christmas, that is my only war Till I am standing in your doorway, boots by the door Band and choir: We are marching home for Christmas, feet and hearts in time Till the bells ring out for nobody dying in the line] [OUTRO brass band plays a warm carol-like version of the chorus melody, crowd humming along, sleigh bells and snare rolls fade, last chord held by brass then cut to distant church bells]
