Lyrics for Christmas Song as interpreted by Demau Senae

Christmas Song Lyrics
She was his girl, he was her boyfriend
Soon to be his wife, make him her husband
A surprise on the way, any day, any day
One healthy little giggling, dribbling baby boy
The Wise Men came, three made their way
To shower him with love
While he lay in the hay
Shower him with love, love, love
Love love, love
Love, love was all around

Not very much of his childhood was known
Kept his mother Mary worried
Always out on his own
He met another Mary who for a reasonable fee
Less than reputable was known to be
His heart was full of love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around

When Jesus Christ was nailed to the his tree
Said "Oh, Daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be.
I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene.
Instead I fear I’ve spilled the blood of our children all around."
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children’s all around

So I’m told, so the story goes
The people he knew were
Less than golden-hearted
Gamblers and robbers
Drinkers and jokers
All soul searchers
Like you and me
Like you and me

Rumors insisted he soon would be
For his deviations taken into custody
By the authorities, less informed than he.
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers
Searching for love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around

Preparations were made
For his celebration day
He said, "Eat this bread, think of it as me.
Drink this wine and dream it will be
The blood of our children all around,
The blood of our children all around.”
The blood of our children’s all around

Father up above,
Why in all this anger do you fill me up with love, love, love?
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around

Father up above,
Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love?
Fill me love, love, yeah
Love, love, love
Love, love, and the blood of our children all around



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gbw5027
12-09-2011

 Rated  0 
I think my favorite line of this song is when he says "Instead I fear I’ve spilled the blood of our children all around". I believe, by saying this, Dave is hinting at the fact that Jesus tied on the cross in order to save us--which is what he knew he had to do. However, Jesus, and religion in general, is a big cause for hate among the world. Think of how many wars are the result of conflicting religious beliefs. It is sort of a 'what have I done' type thing where Jesus realizes what kind of spark he caused among people. Dave is trying to say that people should be allowed to believe what they want, and not be condemned by their own beliefs.

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My Interpretation
savedsoul
11-24-2010

 Rated  0 
I am performing this song soon because I really love the story line/music and how it all goes together. I am a believer of Jesus Christ and I profess him as my saviour. That being said, here's my only issue with the song. the line "Instead I fear I've spilled the blood of our children all around." To me (just my opinion) this implies that Jesus didn't know what was going to happen or that it didn't work out like it was supposed to. I believe God is all knowing and this doesn't jive with my beliefs in Jesus's (who is God as well) not knowing what was going to happen. When I read the bible it clearly states (again to me) that Jesus knew he would be condemned and killed all along and that was part of his purpose. The only questioning he ever offered were to ask God "father, if there is anyway this cup could be passed from me, let it be. However, thy will be done. I take that as if there is anyway else we can offer redemption for humanity, that would be preferred, but I will do your will father. So when performing it I'm planning on singing "and now I see they've spilled the blood of our children all around" splitting hairs a bit I know but it's important to me. Anyways, beautiful song and I love that it's about the true meaning of Christmas... Christ

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1 Reply  ·  General Comment
AcouzStick89
04-13-2010

 Rated  0 
This song baffled me for a long time as to what it meant. I know that Dave, while he is a spiritual person, is a skeptic of organized religion. I too am not a fan of organized religion, so for a long time this song drove me away, despite it beauty and simplicity. But I listened to it again recently and it has an entirely new meaning to me, and has become one of my favorite songs Dave has ever written.

Dave does get in a jab at religion when he says "instead of fear I've spilled the blood of my children all around" which makes me think of the Crusades and other Holy Wars that are fought in the name of some religion. But overall, this song has a very positive message. The Church equates sinning with with being bad, but Dave does not agree with that. He says that we may be gamblers and robbers, drinkers and jokers, or sinners in other words. But that does not mean we cannot look inside of ourselves and find love for one another. My favorite line of the whole song is "Father up above, why in all this hatred do you fill us up with love?" and I love it so much because hatred and love are complete opposites, and it would appear as though both can't exist at the same time.

I think that the whole message of this song is that nobody, not even Jesus who visited a prostitute, can be perfect in the eyes of the Lord, the way the Catholic church wants us to be. So instead, we just need to do the best we can and love each other amidst all of this hatred.

Peace

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General Comment
slowly fall apart
12-15-2008

 Rated  0 
i heard that Dave changed the song after his sister, Anne, was murdered. has anyone else heard about this? and if so, do you know what was changed? (my versions seem consistent with the posted lyrics)

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General Comment
sikhmanbedi
01-15-2008

 Rated  0 
It's funny how an agnostic can write more moving songs about Jesus than most Christian bands.

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jenwrichards
12-22-2007

 Rated  0 
Wow. I want to thank everyone for their interpretations of this song. I was having a hard time understanding what the "blood of our children" lines were about. I'm not sure I still know but I definitely have food for thought.

I am hopeful that the overlying message in most of the responses is love (with the exception of a few name callers..is there really any need to do that because some differs in their opinions from you?)

Hope you all have a peaceful and love filled Holiday

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1 Reply  · 
rjamess
11-25-2007

 Rated  +1 
Does anyone see the irony in a lot of these posts? This song was written about a great story of a man who preached that everyone should love those around them, no matter what kind of person that he or she was. His teachings were then twisted by others for hatred and violence. As the song says "I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene. Instead I fear I’ve spilled the blood of our children all around." It wasn't His teachings that failed, many men failed to follow his idea. Rather than accepting everyone, it is common to believe that someone with a different view is wrong, no matter how small the detail. Now an amazing artist makes an amazing song and people are arguing over the little things. Does it matter how close Dave Matthews' spiritual views are to the Christian views most commonly accepted? Listen to Dave's song lyrics and when he talks. He is a good man no matter how close his views are to yours. Also, does it matter if Mary was a prostitute? Even if someone could prove that a woman who lived 2000 years ago was a prostitute, Jesus taught to love your neighbor as yourself. He didn't say love only those people who are morally pure. In posts for several DMB songs on this web page people are calling each other idiots and retards because they don't share the same view. The way two people view a song and disagree over the meaning is analogous to two people's view on spirituality. The song or teaching is good, but what the viewer makes of it is up to the viewer. Lets get back to the basics and just love each other, the rest will work itself out. As another great artist said, "All you need is love."

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1 Reply  · 
erringtonavenue
06-03-2007

 Rated  0 
Jesus' teaching throughout the New Testament is based on the "Law of Love" what he believed the most important comandment of all. Love God above all and love your neighbor as yourself.... but i think something that everyone is missing is where dave says. He said, "Eat this bread, think of it as me... whether dave is christian or not...this is obviously not a Christians belief.. christians believe that when we break the bread in the eucharist that it is actually jesus not just a replica of what he did.

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redmoignon
04-25-2007

 Rated  0 
Very interesting to see how he explains the story of a MAN
who change the world. Simple but touching story. Only Dave can sing about Jesus that way. Save Me is also a great song.

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DeliciousSooner95
04-24-2007

 Rated  0 
Dave is very much fascinated with Jesus Christ, but is on record several times as not having a belief in God..

The most powerful lyric in this song - "Oh, Daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be.
I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene.
Instead I fear I’ve spilled the blood of our children all around." - speaks of religion's role so much of the conflict that has taken place in the posterity of the sacrifice..

Dave's not a Christian, by any means. No matter how Christian you are, and how badly you want to believe he is as well to help yourself sleep better at night, he's not. I 100% guarantee that.

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trippinbtm
11-21-2006

 Rated  0 
How can so many of you miss the meaning of this song? It's not hard.

It's, as someone said, about Jesus' humanity. It doesn't matter at all what Dave believes, that's not the point. This is about Jesus as a man. He's hanging on the cross, and he sees how it's going to be: crusades, religious wars in his name, and he's saddened by it. He came to shed light, but he's afraid he's only going to cause more blood. And yet for it all, in all the hatred and anger, he's still filled with love. Because love is the only satisfactory answer to anger and hate. And you don't have to believe in God to believe that, which is why it's irrelevant what Dave himself believes.

It's also a slam on the religious leaders. Or not a slam, but a reminder. They, like us, like Jesus' own friends, are drinkers, jokers, soul searchers. Searching for love, and sadly end up killing for it (killing even god himself on the cross (and in our hearts)).

Lastly, Jesus didn't come to spread a belief or a creed. He came to spread love. This is the spirituality behind the religion. I get the feeling that Dave sees it the same way, it shows in many of his songs.

I love this song. All ya need is love

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sumkindazombie
07-25-2006

 Rated  0 
I think this song parallels Dave's frustration to the frustration that he perceives Jesus would feel looking down on what has been done in His name.
Dave "preaches" love, love, love...but the fans go more crazy when he swears or makes a drug reference than when he trys to make a humanitarian point.

About this:""I'm glad some people have that faith. I don't have that faith. If there is a God, a caring God, then we have to figure he's done an extraordinary job of making a very cruel world." ......you and I and Dave know that man is to blame for the cruelty in the world, he's doing what he can to try to change it, what are you doing?

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Me2
06-24-2006

 Rated  0 
wow what diversity...if jesus declared himself as well as all men, the sons (elohims) of God (el elohim).. and he is the christian "example" of the first among many martyrs..if his blood was shed..and he "sees" the blood of many of Gods children being shed..whats the beef? that is love (agape)..one dying for another..and it is the christians duty and design to give there life for their brothers and sisters...

the blood of "our" childrens all around...

Our Gods a one God not three. he has a male and femaleattribute el yahweh and el shaddie. the lord and holy spirit together making one God..."El Elyon" the mother/father of all mankind.

father up above..."one"... why in all this anger do you fill me up with love..because jesus is a sacrificial lamb being filled with the sin of many...
you got to go where the angers at to be filled. and thats what mankind will be doing...being put in the anger of humanity. taking on anger to themselves("spilling their blood") and giving this imputed sin to God..thats Gods childrens designed purpose.

I see nothing wrong with daves understanding here.

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a345jkl
06-13-2006

 Rated  0 
P.S. I think it's kind of amusing that at the top of this page for me, there's an ad or something that says, real big, "Jesus didn't exist?"

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a345jkl
06-13-2006

 Rated  0 
Ok, mbckeeper, just... how do I say this? I agree with you on all of that. I can see why Christians would become defensive about this (I myself was raised Christian). But... just because they have the right to become defensive about it means very little. Anyone has the right to be defensive about their beliefs. If this song does attack that faith entirely (which I don't believe it does...) then ok. Don't listen to it if it bothers you or if the song itself doens't but what people are saying about it, don't read what they're saying. Everyone has a right to interpret this and all songs however they want.

And also, I completely and utterly agree with every single thing wade419 just said.

My own personal view on this song is that Dave was talking about how wonderful Jesus' message was but how throught history it has been so horribly diluted. How, throught histroy, the wonderful message Jesus gave us has been lost in favor of his divinity and many other things the Christian Church now teachs rather than what it was originally all about. I myself don't know whether or not I believe Jesus was the son of God. I was certiently raised to believe that. But, even though I (like Dave I believe) question this, I think it's kind of impossible to disagree with Jesus' original message or the message of this song. Just love. That's what it's all about. There's hatred and horrible things in te world, there always is going to be, but you have to rise above it (forgive for the cliche). Just... don't focus so much on the hatred. Yes, it's there, but so is the love. And, in the end, love matters more.

Either way, Dave is an amazing songwriter and I would like nothing more than to meet him and find out, once and for all, what many of his songs mean. Most particularly this and Warehouse. It's fun to guess but sometimes... you just want to know for sure. And only Dave does.

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Tmo2199
03-06-2006

 Rated  0 
If you like this song listen to The Rebel Jesus by Jackson Browne and A Christmas Song by Jethro Tull.

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dmbartender
01-09-2006

 Rated  0 
another slight subtle detail that i, and i guess alot of others here have overlooked. In the third to last stanza, he goes from "the blood of our children all around" to "the blood of our children's all around". sounds the same, but the latter actually seems to imply that people are actually suffering. again this seems to reflect dave's attitude as seen in the post above

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dmbartender
01-04-2006

 Rated  0 
i was just reading some article online, and i thought it this might put dave's beliefs on god and religion into perspective.
-US magazine- June 1998 ""I'm glad some people have that faith. I don't have that faith. If there is a God, a caring God, then we have to figure he's done an extraordinary job of making a very cruel world." I think this supports what I have said about this song.

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dmbartender
01-04-2006

 Rated  0 
its easy to analyze the first part of the song, but you can't just forget about what dave is trying to say in the last two stanzas. "Why in anger do you fill me up with love....love, love, and the blood of our children is all around". Clearly he is pointing out some sort of irony. Its obviously not a isolated Christian thing because every major religion whether its hinduism, buddhisms, sikhisms, judaism, islam, etc....all stress the same principle that wade419 brought up. I wonder if Dave's disillusionment is a result of the time he spent in South Africa at the height of apartheid...i guess only dave could answer that

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mbckeeper
12-28-2005

 Rated  0 
Well said wade419. I couldn't agree more.

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wade419
12-28-2005

 Rated  0 
good recap of christianity, mbckeeper. If you don't mind, I'm going to attach an addendum and tie it back in to the lyrics of the song.

Christianity DOES revolve around the sacrifice Christ made for all people. In fact, since He is the only way to bridge the gap we have created when we fall short of God, it is crucial. Yet there is a bit more to be understood - during Jesus' life, He taught and showed tremendous love for anyone and everyone. Throughout His life, He demonstrated that love is an integral part of a Christian's life. When asked about which of the commandments was the greatest, He said above all to "love your neighbor". He said to love everyone, even your enemies.

Yeah, it sounds preachy and idealistic. But does it sound familiar? Dave talks about it in "Christmas Song". I personally cannot profess to know much about Dave's life or belief system. But I can say that he certainly recognized a big part of Christ's message to us. Even around Mary Magdelene, who "less than reputable was known to be", "His heart was full of love". Dave realized Christ's message of love for everyone, even those that are "less than golden-hearted, gamblers and robbers, drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers like you and me". Whether or not Dave believes in everything Jesus taught, I don't know (although I'm inclined to believe, after reading this thread, that he is not a Christian. Which is sad, because he seems to know the story and it looks like he's picked up on most of the good parts of it, too).

I guess my point is, whether or not Dave is a Christian, in "Christmas Song" he points out an important part of Christ's story, His unfettered love for all. This message is a good one. Plus, it's nestled in a simple yet soothing piece of music that is very well put together. Bravo, Dave. Keep it up, and good luck on your spiritual journey.

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mbckeeper
12-16-2005

 Rated  0 
I think a lot of the conflict in this thread is the result of some not understanding the beliefs of those who follow Christ. True Christians (those who believe in the infallability of all of Christ's teachings and all other Biblical instruction ) have a faith that rests on several key principles involving Christ (note: Christ is one of three persons of the trinity Father, Son, Holy Spirit that comprise the diety known as Christianity's God):
1. God originally created man perfectly but with the free will to decide whether or not to remain perfect.
2. Man chose imperfection through sin (disobedience toward God) in order to gain knowledge of both good and evil.
3. This imperfection has separated us from God's companionship.
4. The result of this imperfection is death and eternal separation from God.
5. God still loves the humans he created and decided to offer men a way to become perfect again.
6. This redemption could only take place through the sacrifice of a perfect being. This perfect being must be given the punishment of imperfect man--death and separation from God.
7. Jesus Christ who was God in human form was this perfect being--a man who never sinned. He subjected himself to death (being forsaken by God) and took on sin itself for all men.
8. God the Father raised Christ from the dead in order to defeat sin and death's claim on the souls of mankind.
9. Redemption is free to all men who believe in Christ as the sacrifice and his resurection by the Father. Redemption involves filling the believer with the Holy Spirit that purifies sin from the soul allowing eternal fellowship with God in heaven.
10. The world is still imperfect and the fleshly body is not purified in the spiritual redemption. As a result all men, even redeemed Christians sin. Purification does not fully take place until the physical body dies and we are given new perfect bodies.

My point in writing all of this is to show all of you why Christians are sensitive toward lyrics about Christ's life. If Christ were to have sinned (i.e. sleep with a hooker) he would be imperfect and the redemption of man impossible. This nullifies these people's entire belief system. Saying that Christ was just a man takes away from his Godly nature making the sacrifice impossible since no men are perfect. Saying that Christ did not know what was happening to him or the consequences of his actions suggests that he was not God. Saying that Christ was not brought back to life by the Father means that the sacrifice was incomplete. Saying that Christ failed in his sacrifice in any way nullifies the ENTIRE Christian faith. That is why Christians can seem so defensive about Christ-related lyrics and statements. It may seem like a small thing to say that Christ may have sinned or that he was just a man, but it attacks the very foundation of millions of people's faith.

This being said, in no way am I implying that Matthews is saying any of these things. He may be suggesting them, but as another member posted, we have no way of knowing. But that is what this forum is all about--guessing the meaning of the lyrics and the intent of the author. So please, when a believer in Christianity is disturbed by the possibility that lyrics may suggest something untrue about their Redeemer, know why they feel that way. If a writer's lyrics do infact state a different point of view than that of the Bible, singer may be tacitly saying to a fan that your faith is false, your entire worldview is skewed, and your foundation is empty. Its a harsh thing sometimes and a discouragement. That is why Christians are often so defensive in their postings.

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Grizz77
12-16-2005

 Rated  0 
Okay... this might sting, but it's the truth, and someone's gotta say it... so no offense, but...

A lot of Christian posters in this thread are choosing to throw their objectivity to the wind because they really, really, really, really like Dave Matthews, and the thought of him being a fellow Christian just makes him that much more appealing. Christians are guilty of trying to label musicians who allude to a spiritual side as "Christian" because it makes that artist much more acceptable to their belief structure. Take bands like Creed or Evanescence. Every Christian I know sincerely believed that they were also Christian. Then later, both bands made a statement denying it. This happens all the time. In fact, many times record labels intentionally hint at the possibility of one of their acts being Christian. What about Ma$e when he made his big "comeback" recently? He came back as a hardcore Christian. Why? 'Cause Christians flip out when they hear a mainstream artist is a Christian like they are, and they rush down to the record store to buy their album. ...And now you're saying, "Maybe he really IS a hardcore Christian." ...Yeah, the whole Christian thing lasted for one album. He's back to his non-Christian style now...

Anyway, here's the point. It's okay for your favorite recording artist to have different beliefs than you. I'm very much a Christian and I love Dave Matthews. He's one of my favorite artists, but just because I think he's awesome doesn't mean that this song doesn't portray his skewed view of who God and Jesus are.

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dmbartender
12-13-2005

 Rated  0 
I just wanted to add, my interepretation of this song in no way reflects my own personal beliefs. I am not a Christian, but I have read the bible as well as other important texts from other religions, because I feel that understanding different cultures and religions is extremely important in being a better person. I highly suggest that all of you do the same. That being said, I believe my evaluation is completely unbiased and objective in every regard. I also want to note that even though Dave uses the story of Jesus in this particular song, I don't really believe he is attacking the practices of Christianity itself, but rather the concept of god in general as many of the issues raised in the bible are seen in other religions all over the world from Juadaism to Islam.

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dmbartender
12-13-2005

 Rated  0 
I have to say SmithSC adn SamBHS52 are spot on in their examinations of the song. I know alot of you may take offense to what I have to say, but just because Dave is telling the story of Jesus doesn't entirely mean that he believes in Jesus. In this song he manages to point out many of the hypocrisies of Christianity and the Bible. Someone in an earlier thread said that christian values are based on love. If this is case, why is mary magdalen not held in the same regard as the three kings or even the apostles although there was "love all around"?. on a side note, if any of you are interested in this concept read the da vinci code, some very interesting argument are brought up in there. Back to the song, the hypocrisy of religion can be seen in the lines "Why in all this anger/hatred do you fill me up with love?" This can be taken almost as if he is completely disillusioned by the concept of god, who can't even keep Jesus from dying (oh yeah for all you out there, Jesus isn't God...God is the creator, he created Jesus...and now people are going to start yelling at me). This idea culminates in the last line of the song (love, love, and the blood of our children is all around), which seemlessly merges love and doom together.

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