The Kitchen Musician ~ December 2024

Hello Friends,

Sharing my first original Christmas song, ironically titled “Skipping Christmas this Year” – but it is really a story of someone who found an alternative to the heavily marketed consumer version of Christmas. Join me at the kitchen table and I will fill you in on the details.


Index

  NEWS:
  THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “Skipping Christmas this Year”
  UPCOMING SHOWS
  FEATURED NON-PROFIT: The Greater Boston Food Bank

Parish Center for the Arts, Westford, MA
Photo by Dan Tappan

News:

I had a great Thanksgiving with our oldest daughter’s family. Lots of hugs, laughs, and a terrific meal that I didn’t have to cook!

I am very much looking forward to two great shows in January.

Jan 22, Wednesday: Dan’l Boone Library, Virtual Concert, Columbia, MO. Performing a songwriter showcase with talented friends Kim Wallach and Tracy Newman, virtually via Zoom. 8:00 pm ET. Public invited.

Jan 25, Saturday: Needham, MA. Sharing this show with Cosy Sheridan, along with Charlie Koch and Seth Connelly, at The Homegrown Coffeehouse. We had so much fun doing this together in October in Dedham, MA, we jumped at the chance to keep the energy going. I guarantee that you will leave feeling better than when you arrived.

All show details can be found at upcoming shows.


This Month’s Music: “Skipping Christmas this Year”

“Skipping Christmas this Year”
© 2024 Tom Smith (ASCAP)

My experience with Christmas has several profiles. There are my childhood memories of trying to stay awake long enough to hear the prancing and pawing of tiny hoofs on our rooftop, the magical transformation of our living room – an evergreen tree encircled with lights, tinsel and ornaments, presents wrapped in shiny paper and red ribbons. There is the story of the Christ child, born in a manger and destined to spread kindness and goodness throughout the world. The embrace of family and friends, which is always welcome but somehow even more meaningful at the intersection of darkness and celebration. Perhaps the most visible profile here in the United States is retail stores and media filling our heads with black Fridays, cyber Mondays and super specials on the rest of the days in the week.

With all of the high spirits and good cheer on every television screen and web browser, it is easy to overlook that for some, Christmas comes with very different emotions. Some associate Christmas with loneliness, loss or hardship. In my song this month, I tell a story of one such person who, by skipping the heavily marketed version of Christmas, found a deep and meaningful way to keep it.

I am sure you recognize the first line in the chorus from the famous Christmas carol, “Joy to the World”, to which I attach a minor chord. I also include a line based on an infrequently sung verse that starts:
“No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground”

Be kind to each other, and especially to yourself. Wishing you good health and happiness in this holiday season, and always.

Tom

(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)


Featured Non-profit: Greater Boston Food Bank

The Greater Boston Food Bank “works passionately to end hunger across Eastern Massachusetts by providing our neighbors in need the healthy food and resources they need to thrive… Your support enables GBFB to distribute healthy food to neighbors in need as well as nutrition programs and resources for sustained, healthy lives and healthy communities.”

Please join me in supporting The Greater Boston Food Bank, or click to find a food bank in your area.


What do you think?

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18 Comments
  • Tom Smith
    December 4, 2024

    Skipping Christmas this Year
    © 2024 Tom Smith (ASCAP)

       Joy to the world

    Christmas Eve, she could be home
    At least here she’s not alone
    Barkeep says “Kate, it’s time to leave”
    She drains her cup of cheer
    Lights go dark upon the tree
    She’s skipping Christmas this year

       Joy to the world
       No more let sorrows grow
       Joy to the world

    A Goodwill coat, pockets torn
    Old man rolled up by the storm
    He stuffs his stash of prayers and thoughts
    Into his empty cup of cheer
    Sleeping in a cardboard box
    He’s skipping Christmas this year

       Joy to the world
       No more let sorrows grow
       Joy to the world

          We’re told that Christmas is not kept
          Until our gifts are bought and wrapped

    Kate hurries past the stores
    Takes her shift on the soup kitchen floor
    It’s not just a tray of beans and ham
    Much more than that is shared
    Between Kate and that old man
    They’re skipping Christmas this year
    They’re skipping Christmas

       Joy to the world
       No more let sorrows grow
       Joy to the world
       No more let sorrows grow

    • Bob Uvello
      December 6, 2024

      Tom, this is an outstanding song! When I heard you sing it, in Bridgewater, on Tuesday, I knew it was special; but I didn’t catch all the lyrics. On reading it, I was moved. Great work!

      • Tom Smith
        December 16, 2024

        Thank you, Bob. Very much appreciate comments like this from a songwriter.

  • Elaine
    December 5, 2024

    Love ..
    Elaine

    • Tom Smith
      December 5, 2024

      Thanks for listening, Elaine. Wishing you, Eric and “the kids” best wishes and happy holidays!

    • Steve Rapson
      December 6, 2024

      Excellent song. Tom. In the guitar nerd department, your guitar sounds extra fabulous.

      • Tom Smith
        December 6, 2024

        Thank you, Steve. That guitar plays itself. 🙂

  • Wendy Parker
    December 5, 2024

    This is a wonderful song Tom. Beautifully poignant and a gentle reminder to us that Christmas is so very different for so many. We can easily get caught up in the gifts and the bling and perhaps not intentionally, but do not see ! Thank you for sharing . Sending you and yours all good wishes of the season. Wendy Parker (Dun Cow) 💞

    • Tom Smith
      December 5, 2024

      Thank you very much for your deep listening, and kind comments, Wendy. I consider the good folks of Dun Cow an extension of my family. Best wishes to you for a music filled holiday season.

  • Nancy
    December 5, 2024

    Yes, Christmas is more than giving and receiving gifts. It’s all those wonderful carols and the Christmas Oratorio. It’s donating to those in need. It’s visiting friends and family and sharing cookies and other treats. Joy to the world.

    • Tom Smith
      December 5, 2024

      … and wishing well, with gratitude for all of your contributions to make the world a better place!

  • Dan Cloutier
    December 5, 2024

    Bravo my friend!

    • Tom Smith
      December 5, 2024

      Thanks Dan. Appreciate the call-out from a great songwriter.

  • Margo
    December 6, 2024

    I love this song – so poignant and thoughtful. Thankyou.

  • Joe Fredette
    December 6, 2024

    Another beautiful song, Tom. Thank you for sharing, and my best wishes to you and Margo for a joyful holiday season. Hope to see you in 2025 – perhaps at Dan’s CD release show(?). It’s been too long!
    Cheers!

    • Tom Smith
      December 7, 2024

      Hi Joe. Yes, “been gone too long”. Will be at Dan’s CD release for sure. See you then.

  • Linda havel
    December 9, 2024

    “Joy to the world”…no more let sorrows grow Beautiful👏