[Intro] (Melancholic, rhythmic acoustic guitar. The sound of city traffic and distant sirens) (Spoken, low and gravelly) I’m walking down the high street... and I don’t recognize the name on the door. They’ve put my face on a cardboard cutout to sell you things you don't need, While the things you do need... are locked behind a glass pane. Check it. [Verse 1: Sung with a Reggae Lilt] (Bass slides in, warm and dubby. Relaxed, swaying rhythm) I see the neon flashing "Peace" in a digital glow But there’s no peace for the brother with nowhere to go The plastic bells are ringing, but they got a hollow sound While the "Prince of Peace" is walking on this frozen, hallowed ground I see a man in a red suit, built by a fizzy drink A carbonated kindness that don't give a man time to think He’s got a belly full of sugar and a suit of crimson red But a heart as cold as winter, and a script that’s overfed. [Chorus: Soulful, Emphatic] They’re singing my carols but they’re closing the door They’re feeding the rich and they’re taxing the poor A "Happy Birthday" written in a shopping mall light But I’m shivering outside in the middle of the night. [Verse 2: Boom Bap Rap - Double Time] (Beat drops hard—heavy kick and snapping snare. Aggressive, focused flow) Yo, look at the irony, look at the tyranny, look at the way that they’re steering the Message away from the many and making a mockery out of the theory! I’m the guest of honor but I’m banned from the party While they’re drinking the brandy and acting all hearty I see the merchant, the banker, the "holy" elite Using my parables just to sell trainers to feet! It’s a commodity, oddity, look at the policy Building a temple of greed on a prophecy I’m seeing the hungry, I’m seeing the cold I’m seeing the "Greatest Story" being bought and being sold! You put a star on a tree but you won't look at the sky You’re too busy scanning the barcodes to look in my eye! [Bridge: Triple Time Rap - The "Cleansing of the Temple" Peak] (Music strips to a frantic, ticking clock beat. High intensity, breathless delivery) And I feel the- Rage in my ribcage, flipping the tables Stripping the labels and cutting the cables I’m- Tearing the tinsel and breaking the branding I’m- Demanding a bit of a basic understanding! You- Call on my name while you’re stepping on beggars You’re- Walking in silk while they’re losing their legs-a I’m- Turning the tables, I’m whipping the money-men Out of the temple and into the sunny-then- Darkness of truth where the ego is vanity Christmas is love, not a check on your sanity! STOP! (Complete silence for two seconds) [Verse 3: Sung with a Reggae Lilt] (Rhythm returns, softer, more beautiful and melodic) So take down the ribbons and put out the fire If it’s only for show, then it’s only a liar The "Goodwill to Men" doesn't end at your gate It’s for the broken, the lost, and the victims of fate Real love is a verb, man, it’s sweat and it’s blood It’s pulling your brother up out of the mud It’s peace for the refugee, joy for the weak It’s finding the courage for the silent to speak. [Chorus: Soulful, Emphatic] They’re singing my carols but they’re closing the door They’re feeding the rich and they’re taxing the poor A "Happy Birthday" written in a shopping mall light But I’m shivering outside in the middle of the night. [Outro] (Beat cuts out. Just the intimate, raw acoustic guitar and a faint city wind) Yeah. You’re looking for me in the stained glass... In the gold leaf and the expensive wine. But I told you where to find me, didn’t I? I’m in the hunger. I’m in the thirst. I’m in the stranger you’re too scared to talk to. Remember... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these... The broken ones, the forgotten ones, my brothers and sisters on the edge... (Voice becomes a whisper, very close to the mic) You did it to me. Straight to my face. So, what are you doing this Christmas? Peace, love, and goodwill. To all. [A single bell tolls loud and resonant] (Fade to silence)
