Cumbrian Christmas

December 2021.

I was visiting my love in England, and the plan was to stay over Christmas.

Then my father passed away, and I had to return to Norway for the funeral. The Omicron variant of Covid was on the rise, much more contagious than previous variants. There was talk of closing borders again. Would I get back to England for my first Cumbrian Christmas?

I did, despite cancelled and delayed flights. This song was inspired by the experience.

I played around with contrasts again. From the bell-ringing Christmassy start to the head-banging mid-part and back again.

Lyrics

Thinking back to the dream-like light of the dawn
When we drank all the silver hues of the morn
Counting every blessing from her fingertips
Crossing every border with the magic of her lips

Thinking back from the bridge from present to past
Looking down on the freezing waters of glass
Floating slowly downwards with a chilling grace
Mother of all mothers, please don’t leave me in this place

Bring me home
In time for my Cumbrian Christmas
Bring me home
In time for my Cumbrian Christmas

Flying back through the fleeting feelings of hope
Stitching tracks on the darkening crust of the globe
Rushing through the airports with a racing heart
Dreading every doorway that can keep us staying apart

Keep the trust
Every mile is a million sighs
Every minute a master of lies
But I am given the one thing to conquer it all

I’ll be home
In time for my Cumbrian Christmas
I’ll be home
In time for my Cumbrian Christmas
I’ll be home