About The Song
As the winter air begins to bite and the nights grow longer, the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas start to fill our hearts and homes. The twinkling lights, the scent of evergreen boughs, and the joyous melodies of carols all evoke a sense of warmth and togetherness. But for some, the holiday season can also be a time of reflection and bittersweet memories, especially for those who find themselves missing loved ones or yearning for times gone by. It is in this poignant space that Elvis Presley’s “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees” resonates with a profound depth and emotion.
Released in 1971 on the album “Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas”, this song is more than just a festive tune. It’s a heartfelt ballad that captures the essence of Christmas longing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a snowy Christmas Eve, filled with the traditional symbols of the season – holly leaves, Christmas trees, lights aglow, and mistletoe. However, amidst the festive imagery, the singer expresses a sense of loneliness and displacement. He laments that these familiar trappings hold no meaning without the presence of someone special, someone absent from his life.
Presley’s powerful vocals deliver the lyrics with a melancholic yet hopeful tone. The opening lines, “Somewhere in, in the distant night I hear Christmas bells,” establish a sense of yearning, as if reaching out for a past that can no longer be recaptured. The line, “That’s the way it’s always been, the circle really never ends,” suggests an acceptance of the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change.
The chorus, “Holly leaves and Christmas trees, it’s that time of year, lights aglow and mistletoe, don’t mean a thing when you’re not here,” drives home the central theme of the song. It is a stark reminder that the true spirit of Christmas lies not in material things, but in the love and connection we share with others.
Despite the air of sadness, “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees” ultimately leaves us with a glimmer of hope**. The final lines, “As I walk, walk this lonely street, the sound of snow beneath my feet, I’ll think of how, how it used to be, holly leaves and Christmas trees, used to mean so much to me,” suggest a willingness to cherish past memories and hold onto the joy that Christmas brings, even in the midst of hardship.