We Keep You Near

Lyrics

[Verse 1] You leave the porch light on though the old bulb’s gone A paper snowflake hangs by one tired thread The kettle clicks, the hallway clock keeps time We set one extra place and say your name [Pre-Chorus] The years move on, the rooms get rearranged But some small things refuse to change [Chorus] Year after year, when Christmas is here We find the words we couldn’t say all year One empty chair, one song we still hold dear Year after year, when Christmas is here [Verse 2] Your coat’s still folded on the upstairs rail The recipe in your hand is stained with spice We laugh at how you burned the first batch black Then pass the plate and tell that story twice [Pre-Chorus] The years move on, the rooms get rearranged But love keeps finding us the same [Chorus] Year after year, when Christmas is here We find the words we couldn’t say all year One empty chair, one song we still hold dear Year after year, when Christmas is here [Bridge] [Female 1] We carry you in all the little things [Female 2] In every crooked star we hang [Male] And though the winter takes its time [All] Your kindness makes this house feel warm again [Final Chorus] Year after year, when Christmas is here We raise our voices so the lost can hear Through every change, through every far-off year Year after year, when Christmas is here We keep a place, we keep you near Year after year, when Christmas is here [Outro] When Christmas is here We keep you near