Key: D
Introduction: C G Am Am/G F C G Am Dm F G C
C G
This day a year ago, he was rolling in the snow
Am G F C
With a younger brother in his father's yard
G Am Dm
Christmas break, a time for touching home, the heart of all he'd known
G F G
And leaving was so hard
C G
Three thousand miles away, now he's working Christmas Day
Am Am/G F C
Making double time for the minding of the store
G Am
Well he always said he'd make it on his own
Dm
He's spending Christmas Eve alone
F G C G
First Christmas away from home
C G
She's standing by the train station, pan-handling for change
Am Am/G F C
Four more dollars buys a decent meal and a room
G Am Dm
Looks like the Sally Ann place after all, in a crowded sleeping hall
G F G
That echoes like a tomb
C G
But it's warm and clean and free, and there are worse places to be
Am Am/G F C
And at least it means no beating from her Dad
G Am
And if she cries because it's Christmas Day
Dm
She hopes that it won't show
F G C
First Christmas away from home
G G/F G C
In the apartment stands a tree and it looks so small and bare
F C
Not like it was meant to be
G G/F
Golden angel on the top
Am Dm
It's not that same old silver star you wanted for your own
F G C
First Christmas away from home
C G Am Am/G F C
G Am Dm F G C
C G C
Well, in the morning, they get prayers, then it's crafts and tea downstairs
Am Am/G F C
Then another meal back in his little room
G Am Dm
Hoping maybe that "the boys" will think to phone before the day is gone
G F G
Well, it's best they do it soon
C G
When the "old girl" passed away, he fell apart more every day
Am Am/G F C
Each had always kept the other pretty well
G Am
But the kids all said the nursing home was best
Dm
Cause he couldn't live alone
F G C
First Christmas away from home
G G/F
In the common room they've got the biggest tree
G C
And it's huge and cold and lifeless
F C
Not like it ought to be
G G/F
And the lit-up flashing Santa Claus on top
G Am Dm
It's not that same old silver star you once made for your own
F G C
First Christmas away from home
Dm F G C
First Christmas away-ay from home
C G F G C