The One Night the Piano Played

Christmas lights blinked red and green

While A Christmas Story was being seen on TV screens

But packed in the dining room, the music chords would sway

For you see, it was Christmas Eve — the one night that grand piano got played

Grandpa played his heart out by the glow of the candlelight

He played Jingle Bells, Rudolph, he even played Silent Night

We would all gather around while we sang loud and off-key

But pouring out from us came joy from our huge Italian family

Pans of lasagna, the red wine flowed and we always needed more.

It was my auntie’s special dish that everyone truly adored

Homemade sauces with warm spiced cinnamon sticks

The aroma filled her house-as a kid,

I took it for granted

“But now… I truly miss it.”

Oh, take me back to that sweet Christmas time

When Grandpa would play in both rhythm and in both rhyme

His fingers would dance on those polished ivory keys

Much like snowflakes falling through the evergreens

It was my cousin’s birthday with birthday cake with all the candle lights

Crinkled wrapping paper, fruit punch, and we even had candy fights

Drinking the eggnog down, all of it to the very last sip

Then I threw up on my uncle’s shoes — he didn’t believe I was feeling sick

“Hahaha”

I fell asleep by the fire’s warm crackling glow

While my chocolate chip cookies and milk sat out in a row

I swear though I heard the hooves on the roof that cold winter night

While Santa and his reindeer came in hot from a full winter flight

Oh, take me back to that sweet Christmas time

When Grandpa would play in both rhythm and in both rhyme

His fingers would dance on those polished ivory keys

Much like snowflakes falling through the evergreens

The house is not gone, though the lights grow dim

But I know those Christmas carols can still be heard deep within

And when December nights turn cold and they turn blue

I can close my eyes, and I swear that it’s true

That grand piano plays for us still,

For us the lonely and lost,

Only for just us few.

Oh, take me back to that sweet Christmas time

When Grandpa would play in both rhythm and in both rhyme

His fingers would dance on those polished ivory keys

Much like snowflakes falling through the evergreens

It was Christmas time…

When that grand piano played

“ Merry Christmas. Everyone”