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It's Christmas Time Again
at Neiman Marcus
Lyrics by Steve Lovett
Music by Beverly Egan Houston
Intro:
The holidays are meant to make us merry,
To bring us smiles and fill our hearts with glee
And was I happy? Well I'd answer, "Very."
Until a certain package came to me.
The postman put it in my box this morning
I should have had the good sense not to look,
I opened it ignoring my own warning:
The yearly Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.
Verse:
It's Christmas Time again at Neiman Marcus.
And again that book is making me depressed.
That catalog's abounding
With gifts that are astounding
And make me feel distinctly under-dressed.
It tells me what I want should come from Paris
Maybe London, but not Fresno or Spokane
But I’m wary that those vices
With extraordinary prices
Are far beyond the reach of mortal man.
It's Christmas Time again at Neiman-Marcus,
And once again I’m feeling rather blue.
For dinner, it's suggesting
A roasted pheasant nesting
With squab adorned by truffles in fondue.
My friends should dine on matching English china.
With crystal goblets used to sip Chablis
To do that on my budget
Though I really would begrudge it
I'd have to pawn my house, my car, and me.
Bridge:
The gifts called "His" and "Hers" defy convention.
Now what's the point of matching submarines?
Or two Egyptian mummies? Need I mention,
Those gold bidets and matching gold latrines?
It's Christmas Time again at Neiman Marcus
And a vast array of gadgets they supply
Robotic dog retrievers
Tiny, two-way wrist receivers
For watching Sunday football when you fly.
A fountain pen that quotes the daily market
A piggy bank that changes yen to franc
But should I ever think it's
In my grasp to buy these trinkets
I'd soon find not a penny in the bank.
It's Christmas Time again at Neiman Marcus.
All the pages say my wife should wear Chanel
Her bag should be by Fendi
Or someone just as trendy
And monogrammed so passersby can tell
Her cheeks should touch no less than Estee Lauder
Her bosom dusted lightly with Guerlain
But to buy one Donna Karan
Means that all next year I'm wearin'
Potato sacks and wrapping by Saran.
It's odd you need so much when you are wealthy
I've got a home, a dog, a lawn to weed
The ones I love are happy, smart and healthy
Now what more could a person really need
It's Christmas Time again at Neiman Marcus
I think I'll throw that catalog away
Why go through all the stressing
I should count each daily blessing
And joys that make me happy every day.
The life I choose to live is one that suits me
Things I really need I can afford
When those "herald angels" hark us
Do we need these things to spark us?
Who cares when you're a carcass
If you shopped at Neiman-Marcus?
I'm just grateful to be me and thank the Lord
I’m just grateful to be me…oh, yes, just grateful to be me
I’m just grateful to be me and thank the Lord
Copyright © 2002 by Beverly Houston and Steve Lovett,
Invisible Wall Pub and Dream Bayou Music
All Rights Reserved
214-564-7204 DreamInvisible@aol.com
For music or performance information
contact Beverly Houston at
www.texolamusic.com
I Think I Heard
an Angel Sing Tonight
(The Song of the Night Nurse)
Lyrics by Steve Lovett
Music by Tom Masinter
Verse:
“God rest ye merry…” so they say
This night on Christmas Eve
And angels celebrate in choirs.
I wanted to believe.
But as I watched my row of beds
And listened to the rain
I wondered why this God of ours
Allowed us so much pain
And why weren’t angels singing here tonight?
Verse:
A weathered man was here before
And sang “Old Rugged Cross”
And held his mate of fifty years
Adrift in all his loss.
A dark-haired woman’s lullaby
Prayed for her daughter’s breath
Her “Sana” song, though veiled in tears
Refused the face of Death.
Were they my angels singing here tonight?
Release:
And there was that boy John.
He’s the one who broke my heart.
Abandoned here, he lay alone
No one to take his part.
Just a picture by his side.
Saying “Always I’m with you.”
A friend lost many years ago,
Yet there beside him too.
Verse:
And as it neared to midnight
A young man came in the room
A friendly face that cast a spell
That seemed to lift the gloom.
I said “You can’t come in here now.”
He turned, and with a smile.
He said, “My name is Gabriel.
I’m here for John awhile,
And will you let me sing for him tonight?”
Verse:
And then he sat down on the bed.
John opened up his eyes
His face lit up like summer sun.
And Gabriel said, “Surprise!”
John looked back with puzzled joy,
His friend then took his cue.
“I told you when our lives were done
I’d still be there with you
And will you let me sing for you tonight.”
Release:
And he raised his voice in song.
I felt heaven fill the room
And the Earth seemed like a paradise
Instead of like a tomb.
Though I’ll never really know
Why God put us in this place
To suffer all the pain of life
I surely felt His grace.
Verse:
And when the song was finished,
Gabriel touched John’s fevered brow.
“I’ll see you soon. Don’t make a fuss.
I’ve got to go for now.”
He disappeared back through the door
As quickly as he came,
Just then I knew which man he was:
The picture in the frame.
Could I have heard an angel sing tonight?
Verse:
Puzzled and confused myself,
I went to look at John.
His eyes were closed, his body still.
I knew that he was gone.
I knew he’d gone to Gabriel,
I knew he was at rest,
And God I pray, I someday will
Be just as greatly blessed.
I think I heard an angel sing tonight.
Release:
For his voice rang out in song
And it promised hope and love,
A world of peace and harmony
That’s with our God above.
And I know whatever pain
We are all bound to abide.
His love will be what sets us free
And God is on our side.
Copyright © 2003 by Steve Lovett
All Rights Reserved
For music and performance rights
contact Tom Masinter at
www.stardreams.com
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