[Verse 1: Rodney Crowell]
That artificial Christmas tree my baby left behind
I told her when she brought it home it suited me just fine
I can't believe one little lie still haunts me to this day
But what else can I say?
She's the one that got away

[Verse 2: Rodney Crowell]
The evergreen seems pointless for a tired old fool like me
The fake one more resembles now the man I've come to be
And anyway the slowly turning colors of the wheel
Reminds me how I feel
This really can't be real

[Chorus: Rodney Crowell]
Red, yellow, green
Green, yellow, red
Merry Christmas from an empty bed

[Verse 3: Brennen Leigh]
Outside my window all the streets are covered up with snow
Somehow I thought believing in our love would make it grow
And God knows faith can cover up a multitude of sins
But you wouldn't let me in
I trim the tree again
[Chorus: Brennen Leigh]
In red, yellow, green
Green, yellow, red
Merry Christmas from an empty bed

[Verse 4: Rodney Crowell]
So she learned to read my lies like tea leaves in a cup
And here it is, that time of year to put that thing back up
I guess I've grown accustomed to the artificial glow
And now she'll never know
How much I loved her so

[Chorus: Rodney Crowell]
Red, yellow, green
Green, yellow, red
Merry Christmas from an empty bed