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Under the Christmas Spell

by Tony Turner

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1.
A cowboy rides in the foothills on the eve of Christmas time Through the dusty snow where the pasture grows in the sight of the lodgepole pine There’s prairie town in the distance lit up by a Christmas star And a hard-riding stranger who’s traveled from afar His saddle bags are bursting with presents he will give On a chestnut mare is a rider they call the Christmas Kid Some say he was an outlaw who turned to better ways Some say he worked a claim and struck it rich Some say he swore his dying ma that amends must be made By bringin’ the poorest children yearly gifts Milly’s bar was loud that night and full of Christmas cheer And there in a darkened corner was old Cody downing beer He swore to all who’d listen, the Kid was a wanted man To prove to it them one and all he hatched a wicked plan And then he raised his glass that the town would soon be rid Of December’s midnight rider they called the Christmas Kid The children at the orphanage were snug inside their beds Dreaming of Christmas day to come The Kid rode in by the river bridge and followed tracks that led Straight to the sights of Cody’s gun Who can say with certainty what happened that cold night? For there was but one witness, those silent Northern Lights They found old Cody hog tied with note pinned to his vest Saying “Merry Christmas one and all may you give the world your best” Now the children are rejoicing cuz December’s legend lives The Santa of the ranchlands they call the Christmas Kid
2.
Daughter dear you’re far away and though we talk most every day I long to have you near at this special time of year But you called and said that you’re delayed and you may not be here Christmas Day Through wind and cold and snow I’ll still be waiting here If there’s one thing I believe on this stormy Christmas eve It’s dreams can come true But if the fates decide you can’t be by my side The whiteness of this season will seem a little blue Cuz it won’t be Christmas It won’t be Christmas Until you are here The fireplace is burning bright, the table set with candlelight Baking fills the air and stockings are hung up The coloured lights in our front yard will greet you like a Christmas card And welcome you back home to the ones you love The tree is full of memories, the things you made when you were three That made us proud But there’s one thing left to do that we’ve done each year, just me and you Place the golden star upon the highest bough Cuz it won’t be Christmas It won’t be Christmas Until you are here No it won’t be Christmas It won’t be Christmas Until you are here
3.
It was the war to end all wars; it was dawn on Christmas day I was somewhere in the north of France with home so far away Out on patrol in the icy cold when I spied him up ahead I fixed my gun on that dreaded hun ready to kill him dead I don’t know what came over me but no trigger could I squeeze For he turned and lit a cigarette and offered it to me We stood there in the silence and my heart began to stir And this man, my sworn enemy, offered these few words Joyeux Noel, Joyeux Noel Merry Christmas mon ami, this war can go to hell No pull the pin, no bayonet, no bullet, and no mortar shell No deadly toys, for this soldier boy Under the Christmas spell Now I know none of the German tongue and he knew none of mine So he broke into Au Tannenbaum, then I sang Old Lang Syne We shared the sum my rationed rum and then we said goodbye In the language of the people whose land we occupied Joyeux Noel, Joyeux Noel Merry Christmas mon ami, this war can go to hell No pull the pin, no bayonet, no bullet, and no mortar shell No deadly toys, for two soldier boys Under the Christmas spell Though many years have come and gone but I still think of that time Out of the trench speaking broken French with that soldier friend of mine I hope that he, just like me, survived that brutal fray Why can’t we all just live in peace like it was Christmas day? Joyeux Noel, Joyeux Noel Merry Christmas tout le monde, all war can go to hell No pull the pin, no bombing raid, no bullet, and no mortar shell Just the family of humanity Under the Christmas spell Joyeux Noel, Joyeux Noel Merry Christmas tout le monde, all war can go to hell No pull the pin, no suicide vest, no bullet, and no mortar shell Just the family of humanity Under the Christmas spell Just the family of humanity Under the Christmas spell
4.
Silent night, silent night All is calm under blankets of white Time to relax with an eggnog and rum Fix a half glass of milk and a plate of cookie crumbs To show to the children that Santa has come From the North Pole to our snowy street On this silent night, this silent night Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, silent night Stockings hang full by the fire’s soft light Nutcracker soldier stands guard o’er the tree With tinsel and garlands and an angel of peace And each decoration a prized memory Of a loved one who touches us deep On this silent night, silent night Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, silent night Stars in the heavens are twinkling so bright Is there a message in these celestial gems? For peace on earth goodwill to all men Do the stars search the darkness for their long lost friend That shone long ago in the east? On such a silent night, this silent night A night so silent itspeaks Sleep in heavenly Sleep in heavenly peace

about

Under the Christmas Spell is a collection of four original seasonal songs written and performed by Canadian folk musician Tony Turner. Songs of modern family life, cowboys and soldiers are by turns whimsical, evocative and touching. Each in their own way is full joy, hope, peace and love.

Under the Christmas Spell was produced by Adrian Dolan (The Bills, The Wailin’ Jennys touring band) and released at this time when we all need new and hopeful music and to see us through a very unique holiday season.

credits

released November 25, 2020

Lyrics and music by Tony Turner All songs SOCAN

Recorded during November 2020 at Track & Trestle Studios, Ladysmith BC
Produced, recorded and mixed by Adrian Dolan www.adriandolan.com
Mastered by Phil Shaw Bova www.philipshawbova.com

Tony Turner: acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Adrian Dolan: b/g vocals, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, mandola, 2nd acoustic guitar, sleigh bells
Shanti Bremer: banjo (The Christmas Kid)
Scott White: upright bass
Jason Cook: percussion

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Tony Turner Nanaimo, British Columbia

Tony Turner’s life-affirming, articulate folk-pop melodies are beautifully
delivered with his rich baritone voice. From Circle of Song, his much-loved anthem of unity recently published in Rise Again folk songbook, to his award-winning protest sing-along Harperman, Turner has proven he can channel both the
mood of the times and the ties that bind.
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