A Christmas Song that Even an Agnostic Atheist Can Love!

Which is not to say that I don't enjoy Christmas music.  There's actually several Secular Songs, and even some Christmas Carols and Hymns that I tend to embrace with sentimental affection.  Not for their spiritual value, of course, but rather because they tend to stimulate fond memories of my youth and innocence. 

Of course, having sung in the choir from fourth through eighth grade at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in the Bronx, didn't hurt. 

In fact my indoctrination was so thorough that I still remember both the Latin and English versions of most popular Christmas Carols.

As an Agnostic Adult however, I choose to ignore the lyrics and let the music and melodies take me back to a more carefree era.  Much like  Bette Davis  I tend to "Adore Cheap Sentiment" and since newer Christmas tunes have no such reminiscent or emotional attachment to me.  I do find their lyrics harder to digest. 

The following holiday tune by Tim Minchin is a notable exception.  It really is a song that even an Agnostic like me can relate to. It's a little low-key and perhaps even a little long, but I definitely identify with the sentiment.  Take a few minutes to watch and listen to the video.  I think you'll enjoy it too.  I also posted the lyrics below.





For those of you who are interested  or perhaps may even want to sing along, here's the lyrics...

White Wine in the Sun
Music and Lyrics by
Tim Minchin

 I really like Christmas
It's sentimental, I know, but I just really like it
I am hardly religious
I'd rather break bread with Dawkins than Desmond Tutu, to be honest


And yes, I have all of the usual objections
To consumerism, the commercialisation of an ancient religion
To the Westernisation of a dead Palestinian
Press-ganged into selling Playstations and beer


But I still really like it


I'm looking forward to Christmas
Though I'm not expecting a visit from Jesus


I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum


They'll be drinking white wine in the sun


I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum


They'll be drinking white wine in the sun


I don't go in for ancient wisdom
I don't believe just 'cos ideas are tenacious it means they are worthy


I get freaked out by churches
Some of the hymns that they sing have nice chords but the lyrics are spooky


And yes I have all of the usual objections
To the miseducation of children who, in tax-exempt institutions,
Are taught to externalise blame
And to feel ashamed and to judge things as plain right and wrong


But I quite like the songs


I'm not expecting big presents
The old combination of socks, jocks and chocolate is just fine by me


Cos I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum


They'll be drinking white wine in the sun


I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum


They'll be drinking white wine in the sun


And you, my baby girl
My jetlagged infant daughter


You'll be handed round the room
Like a puppy at a primary school


And you won't understand
But you will learn someday


That wherever you are and whatever you face
These are the people who'll make you feel safe in this world


My sweet blue-eyed girl


And if, my baby girl
When you're twenty-one or thirty-one
And Christmas comes around


And you find yourself nine thousand miles from home
You'll know what ever comes
Your brother and sisters and me and your Mum
Will be waiting for you in the sun
Whenever you come


Your brothers and sisters, your aunts and your uncles
Your grandparents, cousins and me and your mum
We'll be waiting for you in the sun
Drinking white wine in the sun


Darling, when Christmas comes
We'll be waiting for you in the sun
Drinking white wine in the sun


Waiting for you in the sun
Waiting for you...
Waiting...


I really like Christmas
It's sentimental, I know...


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