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Never Needed Christmas More
These days I just want to stay in bed
Curled up with my dogs
Seems no matter how much sleep I get
Each day's an awful slog
And the kitchen's dark and freezing
Makes my back and fingers ache
And every cup of coffee's cold
However much I make
And it's not like it's the first time
Sure I've felt like this before
But I have never needed Christmas more
And a job that used to love me
Is now pushing me away
It's just stress and struggling overtime
Through these happy holidays
And the reporters on the TV
Just keep adding up the score
Of the dead and those still dying
In this year's holy war
And it's not like it's the first time
Sure I've felt like this before
But I have never needed Christmas more
So give me innocence and miracles
Give me ornaments and lights
Give me mistletoe and stockings
Give me silent, holy nights
And bring the Messiah and Nativity
Bring the Grinch and Charlie Brown
Give me candy canes and eggnog
Please let Santa come to town
'Cause it's not like it's the first time
Sure I've felt like this before
But I have never needed Christmas more
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The Longest Night of the Year
All these bare ruined choirs
And this white, withered sun
Each December’s a prayer
Beneath the holiday fun
It’s just the tilt of the world
Our silly seasonal game
But these darkening hours
Feel like I am to blame
And there’s so much to do
So much slipping away
But I can see it from here, so clear
The longest night of the year
So I’ll pull on my coat
And I’ll pack up my pain
Strap myself in my car
Strap myself in a plane
As I flee and I fly
Make the pilgrimage home
To our gathering here, so near
The longest night of the year
Love the ones who are here
Grieve for those who are gone
Give each other the strength
To just keep keeping on
So let’s bring in the tree
And let’s put up the lights
Make our comfort and joy right here
The longest night of the year
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3. |
2021: Christmas As If
03:06
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Christmas As If
(Paul Heilker, 2021)
As if we were joyful and triumphant
As if we still made spirits bright
As if sinners might be reconciled
As if we had silent, holy nights
As if we’ll all be home for Christmas
As if you'll really hold me tight
As if our dark streets shineth
with an ever-lasting light
This year as our Christmas gift
This year let's do Christmas as if
Our hearts and minds and voices lift
And this year do Christmas as if
As if our weary world rejoices
As if our troubles are out of sight
As if we know we’re all god’s children
As if all is merry and bright
As if we all had chestnuts roasting
As if nothing we dismay
As if there were seasons to be jolly
As if we jingled all the way
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4. |
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Hang On (Song for Advent)
(Paul Heilker, 2020)
Another day to hunker down
And keep on keeping on
A season sent to teach me
That it’s darkest before the dawn
I know Christmas is coming
Christmas is coming
But it’s still not here
Icy roads and windowpanes
And folks with frozen hearts
Empty prayers and bank accounts
But massive shopping carts
I know Christmas is coming
Christmas is coming
But it’s still not here
A shred of hope
Some scattered light
A fragment of faith
That this long cold night soon will be gone
We just need to hang on
The hungry and the homeless
Sick and lonely here in town
Why can I only see them
When this season rolls around
I know Christmas is coming
Christmas is coming
But it’s still not here
Am I George or Mr. Potter
It’s sometimes hard to tell
There but for the grace of God
Mr. Gower’s living hell
I know Christmas is coming
Christmas is coming
But it’s still not here
A shred of hope
Some scattered light
A fragment of faith
That this long cold night soon will be gone
If we only hang on
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8. |
2018: White Christmas
03:22
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9. |
2018: Blue Christmas
02:54
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10. |
2017: Winter Wonderland
02:48
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15. |
2015: Christmas Calls Us
03:26
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Christmas Call Us
(Paul Heilker, 2015)
Christmas calls us to be bigger
Christmas calls us to look higher
To hang bright lights out in the darkness
To guide and to inspire
May we open up our hearts
May we open up our minds
The way we open up our presents
The way we open up the wine
May we come to know that everyone
That everyone belongs
The way we know by heart
The words to our favorite Christmas songs
Christmas calls us to be different
Christmas calls us to be wise
To make those long journeys between us
To hear and to harmonize
Christmas calls us to be bigger
Christmas calls us to look higher
To hang bright lights out in the darkness
To guide and to inspire
May we reach to the troubled
May we rush to help the poor
The way reach for friends and family
And rush to meet them at the door
May we come to know that everyone
That everyone belongs
The way we know by heart
The words to our favorite Christmas songs
Christmas calls us to be different
Christmas calls us to be wise
To make those long journeys between us
To hear and to harmonize
Christmas calls us to be bigger
Christmas calls us to look higher
To hang bright lights out in the darkness
To guide and to inspire
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Another Ordinary Christmas
(Paul Heilker, 2013)
same old dusty decorations
and the same old worn out songs
same old party preparations
same old guests who stay too long
and the same religious posturing
and same consumer greed
but there is nothing that I want
and there is nothing that I need
in this ordinary season
made of ordinary days
I've got time to count my blessings
before they slip away
yes it's an ordinary sentiment
but it's still a dream come true
to share this ordinary Christmas with you
it won't be snowy white
there's not a cloud up in the sky
so grab a plate of leftovers
choke down that pumpkin pie
and there won't be any carolers
or Santas on parade
but I don't need a celebration
to know I've got it made
in this ordinary season
made of ordinary days
we've got time to count our blessings
before they slip away
yes it's an ordinary sentiment
but all I want to do
to share this ordinary Christmas with you
there will be no flying reindeer
no majestic angel choir
no dancing magic snowmen
and no yule log on the fire
but we have a little tree with lights
and little candy canes
and we're snug beneath our blanket
convalescing from our pains
in this ordinary season
made of ordinary days
we've got time to count our blessings
before they slip away
yes it's an ordinary sentiment
but still a dream come true
to share an ordinary Christmas with you
to share this ordinary Christmas with you
another ordinary Christmas with you
another ordinary Christmas with you
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19. |
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23. |
2011: A Gnarly Christmas
03:44
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25. |
2010: Pretty Paper
02:59
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26. |
2010: Father Christmas
03:50
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27. |
2009: 2000 Miles
04:04
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29. |
2009: All That I Want
03:21
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31. |
2008: Run Rudolph Run
02:59
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32. |
2008: Little Toy Trains
02:07
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38. |
2006: Away in a Manger
01:05
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40. |
2005: Silver Bells
03:00
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42. |
2004: Carol of the Bells
01:41
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45. |
2003: The Christmas Song
03:28
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46. |
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Paul Heilker Blacksburg, Virginia
I'm a guitar player, singer, writer, and teacher from Blacksburg, Virginia, by way of Chicago, Fort Worth, Fort Collins, and
Wantagh, Long Island.
My dad was a music teacher who insisted that there was good music (and shit) in every genre. Hence, my tastes are pretty eclectic, but I am partial to the well-crafted song, whatever its origins.
... more
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