[Spoken Intro: Jackson 5]
Merry Christmas, everybody
Yeah, Merry Christmas everybody, big deal
Hey man, what's wrong with you Jermaine?
Yeah, that's no kind of attitude
This only happens once a year
Hey, fellas, don't bug him
He and his girl just broke up, so get off his back
Can't you see there's tears in his eyes?
Yeah, he's cryin', look he's cryin'
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry

[Chorus: Jackson 5 & (Jermaine Jackson)]
Christmas won't be the same this year
Without her loving arms holding you so near
Christmas won't be the same this year
(No, it won't now, darlin', no, no)
Without her loving arms holding you so near

[Verse 1: Jermaine Jackson]
I see the lights
But they don't shine for me
I see the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
Our house decorated
My friends are celebrating
[Chorus: Jackson 5 & (Jermaine Jackson)]
Christmas won't be the same this year
(No, no, no)
Without her loving arms holding you so near
(It Won't be the same this year)
Christmas won't be the same this year
(The things we used to do, my darling)
Without her loving arms holding you so near
(It's all over)

[Verse 2: Jermaine Jackson]
The neighborhood kids
Are having so much fun
Counting off the days
'Til Santa Claus comes
And I see the Mistletoe
Hanging from my door
I wish I could kiss you again
Like I did before

[Chorus: Jackson 5 & (Jermaine Jackson)]
Christmas won't be the same this year
(No, no, oh, oh)
Without her loving arms holding you so near
(Yeah, yeah)
[Bridge: Jermaine Jackson]
So go on girl
And have your fun
Don't spoil your time
Thinkin' about me
This time next year
My darling dear
Hopefully
You'll be having dinner with me

[Chorus: Jackson 5 & (Jermaine Jackson)]
Christmas won't be the same this year
(No, no)
Without her loving arms holding you so near
(No, no, it won't, it won't be the same without you, darling)
Christmas won't be the same this year
Without her loving arms holding you so near
(No, no, no, no, it won't, it won't be the same)