Mary, It’s Christmas – Toby Keith

Introduction:

“Mary, It’s Christmas” by Toby Keith is a reflective holiday ballad from his 1995 album Christmas to Christmas. Known for his gritty country anthems, Keith delivers a more somber and introspective song with this track. The song’s narrative centers on a man revisiting a past relationship during the Christmas season, highlighting the complex emotions that the holidays can bring.

Set against a backdrop of festive lights and falling snow, the song explores themes of love, loss, and longing. The protagonist returns to a neighborhood filled with memories, where Christmas was once a joyful time. However, beneath the holiday cheer, there is an underlying tension. The man’s connection to “Mary” seems clouded by unspoken emotions, hinting at a complicated relationship—possibly a past love or a connection severed by time.

Keith’s ability to capture the bittersweet essence of the season is evident in the song’s simple yet evocative imagery. As the story unfolds, the listener is left with a sense of both nostalgia and heartache, reminding us that while Christmas can be joyful, it can also amplify feelings of reflection and unresolved emotions.

This track stands out for its nuanced portrayal of human connections during the holidays, making it a poignant addition to Keith’s holiday repertoire​.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Mary, It’s Christmas”

You should see all the lights in our old neighborhood
I never thought that little street could ever look so good
I knew that she’d be busy, it’s her favorite time of the year
And I don’t think she notice, I slipped off to be hereMary, it’s Christmas, and I just had to stop by
To spend a little time with you on this special night
God knows if she could see us now, she wouldn’t understand
But Mary, it’s Christmas, and I just had to take that chance

Don’t the snow sure look pretty, as the flakes are fallin’ down
It’s a blanket from heaven coverin’ the ground
And that cold wind can cut a man clear to the bone
I guess it’s time I got up and took myself back home

Mary, it’s Christmas, and I just had to stop by
To spend a little time with you on this special night
God knows if she could see us now, she wouldn’t understand
But Mary, it’s Christmas, and I just had to take that chance

Well, she’s started askin’ questions
Though she’s barely two
Like, if reindeer fly to heaven
Would Santa bring her love to you

Mary, it’s Christmas, and I just had to stop by
To spend a little time with you on this special night
Someday we’ll be together forever, but till then
But Mary, it’s Christmas, and I’ll do the best I can

This cold wind can cut a man clear to the bone
I guess it’s time I got up off my knees and took myself back home