This day_ a year ago__ he was_ rolling in_ the snow_
With a younger__ brother__ in his__ father's yard_
Christmas break_ a time_ for touching home __
The heart_ of all_ he'd known__ and leaving__ was_ so_ hard_ ___
Three thou_-sand miles_ away__ now he's__ working_ Christmas Day__
Making double time _ for the min__-ding of the store__
Well he'd al_-ways said_ he'd make_ it on his own__
He's spending Christ_-mas Eve_ a_- lone__
First_ Christmas__ a way_-ay-ay-ay_ from home__
She's _ standing by_ the train__ station_ pan_-handling_ for change_
Four more dollars__ buys__ a decent meal_ and a room_
Looks like_ the Sal_-ly Ann place_ after all_
In a crowded sleeping hall __ that echoes_ like a tomb__
But it's warm_ and clean_ and free__ and there are__ worse places to be_
And at least it means_ no beating_ from her Dad_
And if she cries_ because_ it's Christmas Day_
She hopes_ that it won't_ show__
First_ Christmas__ a way_-ay-ay-ay_ from home__
In the apart_-ment stands_ a tree_ and it looks so_ small_ and bare__
Not like_ it was_ meant_ to _be_
The Golden An_-gel_ on the top_ it's not_ that same _old sil__- ver star__
You wan_-ted for_ your own__
First_ Christmas_ a way_-ay-ay-ay_ from home_ _
In the morning_ they get prayers_ then it's_ Crafts and tea_ downs_-tairs__
Then a nother meal _ back_ in his__ little room_
Ho_-ping maybe__ that_ the boys_ will think_ to phone_ before the day_ is gone_
Well it's best they_ do it soon_
When the old_ girl_ passed away_ he_ fell more apart_ more everyday_
Each had always_ kept the other__ pretty well_
But the kids_ all said_ the nursing home_ was best_
Cause he couldn't live a lone_
First_ Christmas__ a way_-ay-ay-ay_ from home__
In the Common Room they've got the biggest tree_
And it's huge_ and cold _ and lifeless_
not like it_ ought to be_ _
And the lit-up_ flashing_ Santa Claus on top_
It's not that same old_ sil__- ver star__ you once_ made_ for _ your own_
First__ Christmas__ a way_-ay-ay-ay_ from home__
First__ Christmas__ a way_-ay-ay-ay_ from home____ ____