Homo for the holidays

I was flipping through radio stations on the way home last night, and stopped on KALW (one of the public radio stations). Although I didn't know it, I had tuned in midway through "Out in the Bay," an LGBT-focused local news program.

KALW often has great bluegrass and local urban country shows, and I stopped to listen to a catchy folk-ish sort of song (when it finished I learned it was just a bit between the segments).

I was so taken by this song I sat in my car in the parking lot until it was done, and then repeated the chorus to myself until I was inside and firing up the laptop to find it on the Internet.

I bought it off iTunes. [iTunes track link]

This may be my new favorite holiday song.

The lyrics are cute, but so much more catchy and endearing by the melody and the performance.

The Christians and the Pagans
by Dar Williams

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 a while.”

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,
'Til 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 your cousin’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.