Blog Caroling - Christmas in Boston

I first heard this song several years ago when my daughter was rowing for the Simmons Crew team. I was driving several team members home from Thanksgiving at our house in New Hampshire, and we heard this song on WODS radio. I almost drove off the Zakim Bridge because it made my glasses steam up with emotion.

Later I found out that the songwriter, James Melody, wrote the song when he was homesick for Boston whilst in New York City. Even the tune sounds like a Ballad written by Massachusetts's own James Taylor. I'll print the lyrics below, but you'll have to imagine the tune.... To me, Christmas in Boston is very special. It reminds me of softly falling snow and gaslit cobblestone streets. It reminds me of the bells ringing at the Old North Church. It reminds me of my college years in Harvard Square and shopping in the slush. Now my daughter is living in Back Bay, enjoying Christmas in her fourth floor starving artist garret- and I'm so jealous!

Christmas In Boston

Fa la la la La la la
Fa la la la La la la

Skating in circles on Boston Common
There maybe four seasons
But tonight it’s snow
The ducks are lined up outside the Public Garden
They’re getting excited to see the show

Through the clouds, a sleigh was sighted
As traffic crawled through town
In the air were reindeer flying
Guess who’s back in town

Ho ho ho
And fa la la
It’s a Massachusetts Christmas
Wherever you are
Fa la la and ho ho Holy night
It’s Christmas in Boston tonight

There’s wise men in Cambridge
Angels at Mass General
Mary and Joseph will do just fine
A star in the heavens
Gabriel’s sonnet
Good news for Boston
And all mankind

And In the air the snow kept falling
A peaceful melody
Joy and cheer on our toboggan
You could hear the people sing

Ho ho ho
And fa la la
It’s a Massachusetts Christmas
Wherever you are
Fa la la and ho ho Holy night
It’s Christmas in Boston tonight