(Intro - Clean electric guitar plays a simple, syncopated reggae "skank" rhythm. Deep, heavy bass line establishes a slow, steady groove. Drums are simple—kick and rimshot.) (Gm) (Eb) (Bb) (F) (Spoken, low voice, over the beat): Yeah, December 25th. We taking this one slow. (Verse 1 - Delivered with a smooth, rhythmic, near-spoken flow.) (Gm) Left the airport static and the frantic mall rush (Eb) Traded the highway pressure for a coastal hush (Bb) Don't need the white snow, don't need the sub-zero chill (F) Just need a hammock and a vibe that's sittin' still and real. (Gm) Got the lights strung up on the nearest palm tree (Eb) Got the speakers pumpin', playing that old Bob Marley (Bb) The turkey's in the pit, slow-roastin' in the sand (F) This is my Christmas doctrine, the easiest in the land. (Pre-Chorus - The rhythm section pushes the energy slightly. The vocal gains a melodic hook.) (Eb) I know the world's spinning fast on some kind of wheel (Bb) But right here on this porch, man, that's not how it feels (F) We're talking low and slow, watching the tide turn (Gm) This is the only lesson that I really wanna learn. (Chorus - Full, harmonic vocals. The bass line is bouncy and dominant. Drums switch to a slightly more powerful reggae rock beat.) (Gm) Oh, hear the Island Bells ringin' over the waves (Eb) Best kind of Christmas when you're truly misbehavin'—but calm! (Bb) Got the whole family here, sun-drunk and barefoot (F) Traded the heavy layers for the absolute root of the vibe! (Gm) It's the December Reset, man, shedding the stress (Eb) Less gifts and more memories, nothing more, nothing less (Bb) No rush to the finish, no place left to go (F) Just good people, good music, taking it slow. (Verse 2 - Returns to the smooth, rhythmic flow, focusing on the simple details.) (Gm) Kids are running wild, got sand between their toes (Eb) The kind of clean air that the busy city doesn't knows (Bb) Grandma brought the guitar, playing something old and true (F) Yeah, this is the holiday, man, the way we gotta do it through and through. (Gm) Forget the perfect ribbon, forget the plastic bow (Eb) We just pass the stories, let the good feelings grow (Bb) 'Cause the best thing you can give when the calendar flips (F) Is your time, your attention, and a grin on your lips. (Pre-Chorus - Building back to the melodic hook.) (Eb) I know the world's spinning fast on some kind of wheel (Bb) But right here on this porch, man, that's not how it feels (F) We're talking low and slow, watching the tide turn (Gm) This is the only lesson that I really wanna learn. (Chorus - Full power. Emphasize the layered vocal harmonies and the bouncy rhythm.) (Gm) Oh, hear the Island Bells ringin' over the waves (Eb) Best kind of Christmas when you're truly misbehavin'—but calm! (Bb) Got the whole family here, sun-drunk and barefoot (F) Traded the heavy layers for the absolute root of the vibe! (Gm) It's the December Reset, man, shedding the stress (Eb) Less gifts and more memories, nothing more, nothing less (Bb) No rush to the finish, no place left to go (F) Just good people, good music, taking it slow. (Outro - The main reggae skank rhythm and bass line fades slowly. The vocalist ad-libs over the groove.) (Gm) (Eb) December Reset... (Bb) (F) Island Bells... yeah. (Gm) (Eb) Merry Christmas, man. Take it easy... (Bb) (F) (Final smooth guitar skank and bass hit.)
