In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
No travel plans, no shopping malls
No candy canes, no Santa Claus
For as the day of rest draws near
It's just the two of us this year
No silver bells or mistletoe
We'll kiss and watch our TV show
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
'Til it's Christmas in the room
No traffic jams, no ice and storm
Far in the house the fire is warm
No Christmas tree, no great parade
It's just an ordinary day
No parties planned, no place to go
It's just the two of us alone
And in the house we see a light
That comes what we feel inside
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
'Til it's Christmas in the room
'Til it's Christmas in the room
Oh, I can see the day when we'll die
But I don't care to think of silence
For now I hear you laughing
The greatest joy is like the sunrise
No gifts to give, they're all right here
Inside our hearts, the glorious cheer
And in the house we seek a light
That comes from what we know inside
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
'Til it's Christmas in the room
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
Like it's Christmas in the room
Like it's Christmas in the room
No candy canes, no Santa Claus
For as the day of rest draws near
It's just the two of us this year
No silver bells or mistletoe
We'll kiss and watch our TV show
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
'Til it's Christmas in the room
No traffic jams, no ice and storm
Far in the house the fire is warm
No Christmas tree, no great parade
It's just an ordinary day
No parties planned, no place to go
It's just the two of us alone
And in the house we see a light
That comes what we feel inside
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
'Til it's Christmas in the room
'Til it's Christmas in the room
Oh, I can see the day when we'll die
But I don't care to think of silence
For now I hear you laughing
The greatest joy is like the sunrise
No gifts to give, they're all right here
Inside our hearts, the glorious cheer
And in the house we seek a light
That comes from what we know inside
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
'Til it's Christmas in the room
I'll come to you, I'll sing to you
Like it's Christmas in the room
I'll dance with you, I'll laugh with you
Like it's Christmas in the room
Like it's Christmas in the room
Lyrics submitted by rainandrev
Christmas in the Room Lyrics as written by Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I can't believe that no one has commented on this song yet. It is easily one of my favorite Sufjan songs. Definitely the most intimate.
I just heard this song for the first time, and I had to stop what I was doing and listen... it made me cry and cry. I agree, this is the most intimate song I've ever heard about a pure, simple, deep and wonderful love for someone.
Truly one of the best Sufjan Songs.
I think it's not just about someone special, but also about how everything we try to use to make Christmas more exciting, is worthless in comparison to the simple time of rest that Christmas should be. It reminds me a lot of the topic in The Child With The Stars On His Head. That's another amazing one
It breaks my heart to think that this might have been written for the same person who inspired all of those tortured break-up songs on ADP and Age of Adz. Pure speculation on my part, of course.
Another interpretation might be a longing for that kind of blissful love when you haven't found it yet.
"The greatest joy is like a sunriiise" Wow, so incredible. i love how young Sufjan sounds here, almost like it was one of the very first songs he ever wrote. And yet still so beautiful.
I listened to this song for the first time in awhile today, and for some reason, it seemed to be about an elderly couple who never had any children. When Christmas comes, they don't have anywhere to go or anything to do, because they don't have any family left besides each other, so they just stay at home alone. Even without all the festivities, the man promises to his wife that it will be a great Christmas, so he sings to her, and dances with her, and that's all they need to have a great Christmas.
There's nothing really to back up an interpretation that specific, but that's how I heard it. Anyway, such a great song to show what really makes special occasions meaningful to us.
I love how what could be read as a cliche comes across as the greatest truth and beauty when Sufjan sings it
This is an amazing song, it really is. It sounds to me like a couple staying home for Christmas. I know Sufjan wrote all these songs because he didn't care much for the season, so maybe what he's saying is that it doesn't really feel like Christmas until they make it feel that way...by singing, laughing, dancing. Gonna try this Christmas approach out this year.
Beautiful.