The holidays are officially upon us…(and there’s nothing we can do about it!)
I’ve written many Christmas songs over the years, but “See the Light/The Longest Year” really resonates with me. This song actually has two titles, thus the slash. :) I couldn’t decide which to go with. One is about a really tough year and the other is about choosing to see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, I kept both. (Problem solved!)
Let’s face it. Life is hard. It is also beautiful, and therein lies the mystery.
“Oh how I’ve been waiting for some good news. Something that could lighten up my step. But hard times come and darkness stays…And I wonder if I’ll always feel this way. “
The idea for this song came as a difficult year was drawing to a close. We had been faced with medical issues, extra financial stress (surprise!!) and had worked our guts out all year on our creative dreams…only to find that the opportunities we’d hoped for had fallen through. Again.
At the time, we were talking about making a Christmas album of my original songs. (Something I’d wanted to do since I was a little girl, honestly.) As I started to collect songs I might want to include, I felt like a total fake. Here I was getting ready to record a Christmas album and I had zero holiday joy and a big-ass helping of Christmas cynicism on the side. (You know the kind…) But as the season progressed and I went to community events and festive activities - I began to feel my heart soften a bit. And this lyric came.
“But at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year...I can finally see the light”
No matter what had been happening in my own life and heart, I couldn’t shake the deep belief that somehow it would all be OK. I accepted that thought…the idea of finally seeing the light… and I protected that thought like you would a little puppy you’d hold close to your heart. (Weird, I know. :) But as I fostered the sweet little idea, and as I heard kids sing Christmas songs at school programs and as I saw beautiful twinkle lights everywhere…and as I tried to take my eyes off myself and help others…I felt love break through.
"Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing...and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Lights shine, and you’re on my mind
So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright.”
This year I’m really, really (for reals) gonna try to look for light wherever I can. To take in the brilliance of the season. What if together we aspire to not only see the light, but to speak of its glow. To hold it safely, close to our hearts…and also…to shine that little glimmer of light onto others. And in doing that, we will be alright.
“I’m just hoping we will see the brilliance of the season
Take this darkness, light it up ~ send something to believe in
And after all this time has passed, I feel like I can feel your love at last...
Cuz at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year...I can finally see the light”
Thanks for listening. Merry Christmas, friends.
See the Light/Longest Year Lyrics
Oh how I’ve been waiting for some good news
Something that could lighten up my step
But hard times come and darkness stays
And I wonder if I’ll always feel this way
But at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light
Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing…and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Lights shine, and you’re on my mind
So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
And at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light
Oh, how I’ve been hoping for some peace here
Not just for myself, but for all kinds
But anger reigns, and judgement stains
And I wonder if we’ll ever learn your name
But at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light
Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing…and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Lights shine, and you’re on my mind
So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
And at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light
I’m just hoping we will see the brilliance of the season
Take this darkness, light it up ~ send something to believe in
And after all this time has passed, I feel like I can feel your love at last…
Cuz at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light
Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Lights shine, and you’re on my mind So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Lights shine, and you’re on my mind So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Cuz’ at the end of the tunnel of the longest year…I can finally see the light.