First Christmas

                                    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__ away_-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__ away_-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_ away_-ay-ay-ay_ from home__                                     In the morning_ they get prayers_ then it's_ Crafts and tea_ downs_-tairs__ Then another 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 alone_ First_ Christmas__ away_-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__ away_-ay-ay-ay_ from home__ First__ Christmas__ away_-ay-ay-ay_ from home____ ____