I Believe in Father Christmas
They said there’ll be snow at Christmas
They said there’ll be peace on Earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the Virgin birth
I remember one Christmas morning
A winters light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas Tree smell
AND EYES full of tinsel and fire
They sold me a dream of Christmas
They sold me a Silent Night
And they told me a fairy story
‘Till I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in Father Christmas
And I looked to the sky with excited eyes
‘Till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him and through his disguise
I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there’ll be snow at Christmas
They said there’ll be peace on Earth
Hallelujah Noel be it Heaven or Hell
The Christmas we get we deserve
Listen to the song
Hør sangen
About the carol I Believe in Father Christmas
“I Believe in Father Christmas” is a Christmas song written by Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer and released in 1974. Lake wrote the song with lyrics by Peter Sinfield, combining elements of progressive rock with a reflection on Christmas traditions and childhood memories. The song became one of Lake’s best-known solo recordings and remains a distinctive alternative Christmas song.
The song begins with the innocence of believing in Father Christmas but gradually explores deeper themes about disappointment, change and the contrast between childhood expectations and adult realities. While it contains familiar Christmas imagery, it also questions the commercialization of the holiday and reflects on the loss of innocence that can come with growing older.
Its connection to Christmas comes from its use of Father Christmas as a symbol of childhood wonder and the emotions surrounding the holiday season. Greg Lake’s arrangement combines a rock sound with traditional influences, creating a song that is both festive and reflective. “I Believe in Father Christmas” stands apart because it celebrates Christmas while also examining its complexities.
