Dar Williams - The Christians & The Pagans Lyrics

Amber called her uncle
Said, "We're up here for the holiday
Jane and I were having solstice
Now we need a place to stay"

And her Christ-loving uncle
Watched his wife hang Mary on a tree
He watched his son hang candy canes
All made with red dye number three

He told his niece, "It's Christmas eve
I know our life is not your style"
She said, "Christmas is like solstice
And we miss you and it's been awhile"

So the Christians and the pagans
Sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground
The best that they were able

And just before the meal was served
Hands were held and prayers were said
Sending hope for peace on earth
To all their Gods and Goddesses

The food was great, the tree plugged in
The meal had gone without a hitch
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said
"Is it true that you're a witch?"

His mom jumped up and said
"The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen
And it was Jane who spoke, she said
"It's true, because she's not a Christian"

"But we love trees, we love the snow
The friends we have, the world we share
And you find magic from your God
And we find magic everywhere"

So the Christians and the pagans
Sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground
The best that they were able

And where does magic come from?
I think magic's in the learning
'Cause now when Christians sit with pagans
Only pumpkin pies are burning

When Amber tried to do the dishes
Her aunt said, "Really no, don't bother"
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like
Tim and like her father

He thought about his brother
How they hadn't spoken in a year
He thought he'd call him up and say
"It's Christmas and your daughter's here"

He thought of fathers, sons and brothers
Saw his own son tug his sleeve, saying
"Can I be a pagan?" dad said
"We'll discuss it when they leave"

So the Christians and the pagans
Sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground
The best that they were able

Lighting trees in darkness
Learning new ways from the old
And making sense of history
And drawing warmth out of the cold