Verse 1 Come close, my grandson, take a seat by my side Watch the snow fall outside while the evening light dies I know that the world moves so fast for you now With a rush in your spirit and a sweat on your brow But tonight, let the riddim of memory flow Let me take your heart back to the winters ago We had no silver, we had no bright gold But we had a sweet fire to keep out the cold. Chorus (The reggae groove locks in tight, and a powerful Southern gospel choir swells behind the lead vocal) And the Lord was our light, and the Lord was our guide From the tropical shores to the mountainside Singing praise to the Baby who came from above Filling our homes with His radical love The years pass away like a wave on the sea But the Christmases past still are guiding of me Through the valley of shadows, through the storm and the rain His truth is the anchor that broke every chain. Verse 2 I remember the hard times in just 'sixty-three When the pantry was bare as a winter-stripped tree My father, he smiled, though his hands were so worn And he told us the reason why Jesus was born He didn't give us presents all wrapped up in lace He just pointed to heaven and spoke of His grace That story, it planted a seed in my youth And it grew like a cedar in the soil of His truth. Chorus And the Lord was our light, and the Lord was our guide From the tropical shores to the mountainside Singing praise to the Baby who came from above Filling our homes with His radical love The years pass away like a wave on the sea But the Christmases past still are guiding of me Through the valley of shadows, through the storm and the rain His truth is the anchor that broke every chain. Spoken Word Recitation (The drums and bass drop out completely. Only a soft, echoing reggae guitar skank and a gentle gospel piano play under the grandfather’s speaking voice. His voice is deep, weathered, and full of grandfatherly tenderness.) "You see, son... people look at me now and they just see an old man with a slow step. But when I look back at all those Christmases... I don't just see dates on a calendar. I see milestones of mercy. I remember standing in the dark times, wondering which way to turn. And every single time, the memory of that little baby in the manger—the Savior of the world—would flash like a beacon in my soul. It kept me from slipping when the path got muddy. It kept my heart soft when the world tried to make it hard. I’m handing you this compass tonight, boy. Don't you ever forget where your strength comes from." Bridge (The B3 organ swells mightily, and the full reggae-gospel groove crashes back in with intense energy) It's a lamp to my feet! (Yes, a lamp to my feet!) It’s a light to my path! (It's a light to my path!) From the first winter breath to the very last laugh! He’ll never forsake you, He’ll never let go The sweetest old story that a man could e'er know! Chorus (Full, roaring gospel harmony over the heavy reggae beat) And the Lord was our light, and the Lord was our guide From the tropical shores to the mountainside Singing praise to the Baby who came from above Filling our homes with His radical love The years pass away like a wave on the sea But the Christmases past still are guiding of me Through the valley of shadows, through the storm and the rain His truth is the anchor that broke every chain. Outro (The music slows down into a classic reggae 'dub' style fadeout, with the bass echoing softly) Yeah, He broke every chain, son... Keep walking in that light. Merry Christmas, my boy
