Christmas Shoes

This one is for you Kyle, because I know how much you love the song "Christmas Shoes". You almost cried when you were talking about it at my house. Which is amazing, because I don't think you even knew that it was from a movie staring Rob Lowe, and had been turned into a play and novel. At first, I thought you were talking about Kate Bush's The Red Shoes, which seemed a little emasculating, but I can understand your need to dance.


But no...you said it was a Christmas song that had your emotions all tied in a knot. So it had to be the one related to the television shoe, by Newsong, or maybe this one by 3 of Hearts. I'm not sure if you have a preference, or if it's just the words that move you, and male or female, the singers don't make a difference.


What is it about these words that moves you so? Are you remembering a time your daddy sent you out to buy Christmas presents without adult supervision? I happen to know your mother is fine - so I'm pretty sure he didn't send you after shoes. If he had, you'd have had to call me up to drive - you didn't get your license until at least 9 months after I did (being younger and all).

It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes

His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Chorus:
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

Bridge:
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about

Repeat Chorus

Personally, I think there's more value-add when you couple it with a bunch of Disney characters by doing a mash up of Kingdom Hearts and Christmas Shoes. This is pretty much one aspect of what's meant when they talk about Web 2.0, taking disparate services and creating new packages and frameworks and allowing some commentary, and realizing you've created something more horrible than either of the original products.


Then again, maybe you're partial to this version. Not as many views as some others - but maybe that gives it an intimacy you can really feel. Listen to it in the dark, with just the lights of the Christmas tree and the Mac screen illuminating your soul.


Personally, I prefer the ukulele version, in part because I represent 2% of her views, and the song moves her to crying:


Patton Oswald's doesn't sing, but he has his own take on the song. He may appreciate it as much as you do:


As an alternative, I suggest one of my favorite Christmas songs, by The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy vs. the Red Baron: