Day 1 - The Advent Calendar (Countdown to Christmas)

 Day 1 - The Advent Calendar (Countdown to Christmas)

The Advent Calendar (Countdown To Christmas) listen to song on Bandcamp


It had to be this track, really, kicking off the countdown. One of my thought processes was wondering what subject matter hadn't been written about in a Christmas song. There were plenty about snow, Santa, Rudolph, sleigh rides (oh yes, they're still to come!!) but I wasn't familiar with anything Advent related. (Please correct me if I'm wrong - everyday is a school day, after all.)

The basic premise of counting down days to Christmas was straightforward enough and the line about not wanting to fight was a deliberate lift from The Ramones. Their song, 'Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)', had been stuck in my head and I couldn't find a way around not including something similar in my track.


The 'shooting star' line is a metaphor for someone seeking guidance, or in this case, their way home - 'home' being peace with themselves.

The middle eight posed the questions: 'what was this year's Christmas going to be like?' Cold, white or like last Christmas with an empty fireside (and an empty home) or with 'the one I love' bringing a happy New Year?

Heavy ...

'The Advent Calendar' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize
Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize
(c) Richard Longley 2025

lyrics

Count down the days
Behind every closed door
Twenty-four clues
Secrets and much more

I don’t want to fight again
I want a shooting star
To find my way home

Hang on the wall
Each morning brings surprises
Decking the halls
Rubbing those bleary eyes

I don’t want to dream again
I want a guiding light
To find my way home

Will it be a white Christmas
With snow falling and sleigh rides?
Will it be a cold Christmas
An empty fireside?
Will it be like last Christmas
When the only present held dear to me
Was the one I love and a happy New Year

Count down the days
Behind every closed door
Twenty-four clues
Secrets and much more

I don’t want to fight again
I want a shooting star
To find my way home

I don’t want to dream again
I want a guiding light
To find my way home


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