Merry Christmas to All

The night before Christmas, somewhere far away He lays down his rifle and bows there to pray For safety for those half way 'round the world Holding the picture of his wife and their girl He pulled a paper out of his pack A hand-colored page with a heart on the back A green Christmas tree with a bright shiny star Said "I love you Daddy, wherever you are." Merry Christmas to all He taped the page to the cracked concrete wall His sqad gathered close as soon as they saw There were no presents, they knew it would be As close as they'd get to a real Christmas tree. When they tried to sing O Holy Night The words wouldn't come his throat was too tight The singing was over, nobody would try It's not right to watch a fighting man cry. Merry Christmas to all Merry Christmas to all That crayon art picture that his daughter drew Was the only Christmas that those soldiers knew But that small piece of home, from so far away Made this corner of hell like a real holiday He folded the paper, put it there in his shirt Buttoned the pocket to keep out the dirt The most precious possession he has over here He picked up his rifle and shouldered his gear Merry Christmas to all Merry Christmas to all For a moment or two, they were all nearly home For a moment or two, didn't feel so alone But duty calls and they answer again There's a job to be done, and a battle to win Merry Christmas to all Merry Christmas to all Merry Christmas to all Now it's back to the fight.