Tuesday, July 01, 2008

When You Come Home Again

When You Come Home Again
words and music by Chris Sligh

I’m here, you’re there

Is it hot outside tonight?

‘Cause Nashville’s cold and the streets are turning white

I’m here, you’re there

But I know what’s on your mind:

Christmas memories from a different time

I’ll be wishing you were here

I’m sure you’re wishing you weren’t there



Peace on earth, may God be near

Another Christmas and we’re praying 

That you’ll be home with us next year

It’s the holidays: good will to men

Just be safe; just know we’re here

And Christmas will be waiting…

When you come home again.


I’m here, you’re there

Are you dreaming like I do?

‘Cause Christmas doesn’t feel right without you

We’re covered up with snow

I’m sure you’re covered up with sand



chorus




Hoping all our love gets through

In boxes wrapped with “I love you’s”;

“We miss you here’s”; “Just come back safe’s”;
And all the “thank you’s” we could ever make

I’m shivering in my coat

I’m sure you’re sweating in fatigues



chorus

20 comments:

Deb in TN said...

Oh my, Chris....those lyrics are very touching....before I had even read the entire thing, I was already thinking of the Troops....buddy, you are good! Can't wait to hear this song.....*sniff, sniff*...will be be able to get a copy of it before Christmas?

On a different note, yes--safe travels to everyone on their way to the picnic.

Anonymous said...

Wow, just wow. That is NOT your typical Christmas song. Great work, Chris! Can't wait to hear you sing it.

Deb in TN said...

I meant to say, "will WE be able to get a copy".....wish there was an edit feature 'cause I stink at proofreading sometimes.....obviously....lol

Hischild said...

VERY nice! Looking forward to hearing it. I get so tired of the run of the mill Christmas songs. New and different is great! Thanks for posting here. Love being on the cutting edge of your music, Chris!
See ya soon! Yippee!!

I should be seeing this years' Idols TONIGHT!!! Another Yippee!!
I am spoiled in SO many ways.

~clarissa

Anonymous said...

Its so easy to forget about their volunteered sacrifice for their fellow mankind, regardless of the cost. Such a person has a selfless love that I myself surely lack. So many feel so strongly that they return willingly so that what was started will have a chance to make it. From personal conversations, it is pretty hard on those in the Armed Forces with kids, but they keep the promises they made and are not sorry they made them. Sure they have regrets but all of the ones I have talked to have a mature vision and hope of what could be. Many have come to actually love the Iraqi people. These heroes I talk to aren't talking from a political purpose or political stage they are just talking to their families plumber. I can't tell you how much I admire their sacrifices for the hope or maybe even a dream of a Utopian independence. It may never work out but sometimes you need to give what seems impossible a shot.
It often makes me wonder what have I done for the world today?

Unknown said...

Wow is right, dgmommie!
what great big tear that brought to my eye!!! It is so beautiful.
Wonderful Christmas song...Just right with so many people having loved ones half a world away and missing 'em with all their might...

robyn

EmilyBoo said...

Those are very touching lyrics and I look forward to actually hearing you sing it instead of imagining what it will sound like. After re-reading the part in the previous entry about the 3 Christmas songs you'll be doing, it looks like this isn't going to be one of them though? Please tell us more, Chris!

Anonymous said...

I have to repeat, WOW!!!

Carrie said...

I definitely wasn't expecting that. My sisters boyfriend is in Iraq right now. Not long ago, he had to be the first to go into a house and kick the door down and when he went in, he was hit in the head with a metal pole and I just thank God that the person didn't have a gun instead.

Carmen said...

Chris,
This is very moving. I think you will have a hit with this one. Your song writing ability continues to improve.
Can't wait until I hear this one.
Bravo!

Carmen

Anonymous said...

is there no room for constructive criticism on this site or just immediate blind praise?

chris, i really like your solo album. loaded gun's orchestration is great. you have some brilliant stuff on there! and i can't wait to see what you can do once you can pull further away from pop.

now, this song seems week lyrically for you, which is another place where you are usually strong. maybe with the melody you have constructed will make it okay... but it seems like a pop project for the sake of a sale rather than for truly getting something across.

ChrisSligh said...

Fan84,

Thanks for stopping by.

I don't think there's any "blind" praise here.

When I read the lyric and hear it in the song, it definitely is something that gets a point across, at least to me...but then I did write it.

You know maybe it is just a pop thing, but pop things can have a fine message, too.

I'd be interested to hear what you consider moving away from pop and why I should do that!

Thanks,
Chris

Teejalicious said...

Finally heard your song on the radio here in Greenville.

HstryQT said...

This is great; cant wait to hear it put to music. Im sure itll be a hit.

risalea said...

Fan84, your newness is showing, or else you'd know we give unsolicited advice/opinions to Chris all the time! : )

I think we can't have enough reminders about our soldiers. It's easy to forget if you don't have a loved one serving.

OK....
crockpot packed--check
chips and Rotel fixins' and GDA's dip mixes--check
coolers ready to be loaded--check
clothes and make up ready--uh oh

See y'all later! Hitting I-40 after necessary hair and nail stop in the AM. :) Risa

xangelglitterx said...

CHRISTMAS IN JULY:::: WOOOOHHOOOO!!!!
LET IT SNOW,LET IT SNOW,LET IT SNOW.
I LOVE IT CHRIS JUST LOVE IT.
I AM ONE OF THE ORIGINALS WHO ASKED ABOUT A CHRISTMAS CD. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
CHRIS YOU TOUCHED ME RIGHT HERE>>>>> (POINTING TO MY HEART)ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE.THE GODS HAVE ANSWERED.
I CAN'T WAIT NOW...DOING A HAPPY DANCE!!!! OK NOW GOT TO CATCH MY BREATH....I'M GOOD....I'M GOOD....PANT,PANT.....OK ....CALM NOW. WANTED TO WISH ALL MY PEEPS A HAPPY TIME IN NASHVEGAS THIS WEEK. I AM STILL WORKING O.T.THE REST OF THE WEEK SO AS I WON'T APPEAR THIS YEAR BUT WILL MAKE UP FOR IT HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR IF CHRIS IS WILLING TO REPEAT THIS AGAIN. CHRIS KEEP ME IN YOUR GPS AND VISIT ANY TIME YOU ARE IN NY. YOU'RE LIKE FAMILY NOW.MAY YOU ALL BE CAREFUL AND RETURN HOME SAFELY. GRAB THE ROTELL AND DIP LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW GUYS. GOD KNOWS THEY CONFISCATE THEM HERE. HEHEHEHEHE!!
PARTY ON FOLKS!!! CHAT SOON. GET PICTURES AND POST AS SOON AS YOU CAN.I AM SAD I CAN'T MAKE IT BUT DUTY CALLS.
PEACE AND LOVE.........
ONE LOVE...........................

Anonymous said...

Chris, thank you for your personal response. I guess what I'm referring to is pop's tendency to water-down meaning and musical talent in order to sell. I feel you are very talented and general pop music is to "dumb it down." Maybe it's just cause I'm not of fan of most "pop" though.

I think of Switchfoot... they had three christian albums which were, ...eh, okay... they had a few good songs but then they made a mainstream hit (via Mandy Moore oddly enough) and the last three albums they have put out have been much better. Creative, fresh & original both lyrically and musically.

I noticed a post you put up recently about doing some mainstream and some CCM and am interested in how this will flesh out.



Risalea, I stand corrected as my newness is a factor. I guess I shouldn't have spoken too soon about lack of criticism with out reading tons of posts...

risalea said...

It's all good fan84, and welcome!

OK, finally hitting the road.

It's a good thing my family is following after my son and daughter get off work tomorrow--I've got the back seat of my van out and it is full to the rafters!

Carmen had some transmission issues, but she's on the road again. It's not a Chris Sligh picnic, it's the Chris Sligh adventure!

Anonymous said...

nice song -- in fact i enjoy reading all of these "first drafts" as you post them. there have been some real gems. Only question.. Why do they always show up with ? at the end of the line (or is that just my browser). Anyone else seeing ? ????

Kathy said...

Oh My Gosh! I heard this for the first time today while on my lunch hour and just cried and cried. I have a daughter and future son-in-law serving overseas at this very moment and this song said everything that is in my heart. Chris, keep on doing what you're doing! God has given you a wonderful gift. I've got your CD and listen to it ALOT in my office and car. God Bless You!