h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

If you ever get the chance get the lyrics or buy the album(s) that have the song "First Christmas" written by Stan Rogers. It has probably the best description of the first Christmas spent away from home from several points of view. A classic.

This day, a year ago, he was rolling in the snow
With a younger brother in his father's yard.
Christmas break - a time for touching home
The heart of all he'd known, and leaving was so hard -
Three thousand miles away, now he's working Christmas Day
Making double time for "the minding of the store"...
Well, he'd always said he'd make it on his own
He's spending Christmas Eve alone.
First Christmas away from home.


She's standing by the train station, panhandling for change
Four more dollars buys a decent meal and a room.
Looks like the Sally Ann place after all,
In a crowded sleeping hall that echoes like a tomb
But it's warm and clean and free and there are worse places to be,
And at least it means no beating from her Dad
And if she cries because it's Christmas Day
She hopes that it won't show...
First Christmas away from home.


In the apartment stands a tree, and it looks so small and bare
Not like it was meant to be
The Golden Angel on the top, it's not that same old silver star
You wanted for your own
First Christmas away from home.


In the morning, they get prayers, then it's Crafts and tea downstairs
Then another meal back in his little room
Hoping maybe that "the boys" will think to phone before the day is gone
Well, it's best they do it soon.
When the "old girl" passed away, he fell more apart each day
Each had always kept the other pretty well
But the kids all said the nursing home was best
'Cause he couldn't live alone...
First Christmas away from home.


In the Common Room they've got the biggest tree
And it's huge and cold and lifeless,
Not like it ought to be
And the lit-up flashing Santa Claus on top
It's not that same old silver star you once made for your own
First Christmas away from home.

those lyrics are so sad. almost made me cry. very touching.

That's an exception, most of his stuff is rowdy, drinking song type stuff. The exceptions are great though like "Harris' Mare" which is the best anti-violence song I've ever heard.

well he seems a well rounded musicial lol

Very thoughtful and as I said he is reminiscent of the very tenuous sense of self Canadians have.

Check it out, and listen carefully please.

oh jeeze i meant musician not musicial sorry!! i am so tired right now. i will have to look for some of his stuff. i'm jenn if i never introduced myself...hi

Craig, and I live on the other ocean we have. Hope you like his stuff, try the official website for lyrics and some others for clips.

nice to meet you craig. and thanks i'll look him up