Dar Williams
The Christians and the Pagans
[Verse 1]
Amber called her uncle
Said, "We're up here for the holiday
Jane and I were having Solstice
Now we need a place to stay"
And her Christ-loving uncle
Watched his wife hang Mary on a tree
He watched his son hang candy canes
All made with red dye number three
He told his niece, "It's Christmas Eve
I know our life is not your style"
She said "Christmas is like Solstice
And we miss you and it's been a while"
[Chorus]
So the Christians and the Pagans
Sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground
The best that they were able
And just before the meal was served
Hands were held and prayers were said
Sending hope for peace on earth
To all their gods and goddesses
[Verse 2]
The food was great, the tree plugged in
The meal had gone without a hitch
'Til Timmy turned to Amber and said
"Is it true that you're a witch?"
His mom jumped up and said "The pies are burning"
And she hit the kitchen
And it was Jane who spoke
She said, "It's true your cousin's not a Christian
But we love trees, we love the snow
The friends we have, the world we share
And you find magic from your God
And we find magic everywhere"
[Chorus]
So the Christians (Christians) and the Pagans (Pagans)
Sat together (Together) at the table (Ooh wah)
Finding faith (Halle-) and common ground (Lujah)
The best that (Halle-) they were able (Ooh wah)
And where does magic come from?
I think magic's in the learning
'Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans
Only pumpkin pies are burning
[Verse 3]
When Amber tried to do the dishes
Her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother"
Amber's uncle saw how Amber
Looked like Tim and like her father
He thought about his brother
How they hadn't spoken in a year
He thought he'd call him up and say
"It's Christmas and your daughter's here"
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers
Saw his own son tug his sleeve
Saying "Can I be a Pagan?"
Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave"
[Chorus]
So the Christians (Christians) and the Pagans (Pagans)
Sat together (Together) at the table (Ooh wah)
Finding faith (Halle-) and common ground (Lujah)
The best that (Halle-) they were able (Ooh wah)
Lighting trees in darkness
Learning new ways from the old
And making sense of history
And drawing warmth out of the cold