The Christmas Guest

The Christmas Guest - Johnny Cash (約翰尼·卡什)

Written by：B. Walker/Grandpa Jones

It happened one day at December's end

Some neighbors called on an old time friend

And they found his shop so meager and lean

Made gay with thousand bows of green

And old Conrad was sitting with face a shine

When he suddenly stopped

As he stitched a twine

And he said

My friends at dawn today

When the cock was crowing the night away

The Lord appeared in a dream to me and he said

I'm coming your guest to be

So I've been busy with feet astir

Strewing my shop with branches of fern

The table is spread and the kettle is shined

And over the rafters the holly is twined

And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear

And listen closely so I will hear

His step as he nears my humble place

And I'll open the door

And I look on his face

Then his friends went home

And left Conrad alone

For this was the happiest day he had known

For long since his family had passed away

And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas day

But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest

This Christmas would be the dearest and best

So he listened

With only joy in his heart

And with every sound

He would rise with a start

And look for the Lord to be at his door

Like the vision

He had had a few hours before

So he ran to the window after hearing a sound

But all he could see on the snow covered ground

Was a shabby beggar

Whose shoes were torn

And all his clothes were ragged and worn ho ho ho

But old Conrad was touched

And he went to the door and he said

Your feet must be cold and sore ho ho

I have some shoes in my shop for you

And I have a coat

To keep you warmer too

So with grateful heart the man went away

But Conrad noticed the time of day and wondered

What made the dear Lord so late

And how much longer he'd have to wait

Then he heard another knock

And he ran to the door

But it was only a stranger once more

A bent old lady with a shawl of black

And a bundle of kindling piled on her back

But she asked only for a place to rest

A place that was reserved for Conrad's great guest

But her voice seemed to plead don't send me away

Let me rest for awhile ho ho

This Christmas day ho ho ho ho

So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup

And told her to sit at the table and sup

And after she had left he was filled with dismay

For he saw that the hours were slipping away

And the Lord had not come as he said he would

And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood

When out of the stillness he heard a cry

Please help me and

Tell me where am I

So again he opened his friendly door

And stood disappointed as twice before

It was only a child who'd wandered away

And was lost from her family on Christmas day

Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad

But he knew

He could make this little girl glad

So he called her in and he wiped her tears

And quieted all her childish fears

Then he led her back to her home once more

But as he entered his own darkened door

He knew that the Lord was not coming today

For the hours of Christmas had all passed away ho ho

So he went to his room and knelt down to pray

And he said

Lord why did you delay

What kept you from coming to call on me

I wanted so much your face to see

When soft in the silence a voice he heard

Lift up your head

I have kept my word

Three times my shadow crossed your floor

Three times I came to your lonely door

I was the beggar with bruised cold feet

I was the woman you gave something to eat

I was the child on the homeless street

Three times I knocked

Three times I came in

And each time I found the warmth of a friend

Of all the gifts love is the best

I was honored to be

Your Christmas guest