A CHRISTMAS TREE br br I watched the baubles as they bounced br Around our green and shimmering tree br Those spurs and prongs proudly balanced br With the children allowed to be free br br For once and only once alone a year br We waited in our room for him br “I think I hear his bells” we fear br Then he comes and the repetition dims br br It’s dying now so no more dressing br But I love the yearning, lovely feeling br It’s dead now but like the ever living br We feel as the child feels loving br br The scare, the hurt has gone at last br To watch their peace at Christmas, free as the past br br For Pete. When we were children.