Christmas Shoes

[shuflemstr]

Apparently what I am going to say is going to be opposite of what everyone else is saying. I absolutley love the song. I listen to it at least 5 times a day. What gets me most about it is that it is a true story where the person standing in line is a college student and there are two kids a brother and a sister. I don't like the fact that the mother is dying. That does take the fun out of Christmas. However the song has its points in which it puts the Christmas spirit back in. When the song starts out:

It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood

That tells me that there is someone not very happy during this time of year when standing in front of him is a boy in dirty clothes. When the boy realizes he doesn't have enough money and tells the store clerk that it is for his dying mother how the person behind him gives the boy enough money to buy the shoes for his mother. This tells you that even people who are grumpy during Christmas, they do have a heart and care. The song gets me in the spirit everytime I hear.

 

[sillyspook13]

Simply put: The song makes me want to yack. :hurl:

 

[imagineer99]

Simply put: The song makes me want to yack. :hurl:

That's a nice succint way to put it! I agree

 

[dreamteacher]

Apparently what I am going to say is going to be opposite of what everyone else is saying. I absolutley love the song. I listen to it at least 5 times a day. What gets me most about it is that it is a true story where the person standing in line is a college student and there are two kids a brother and a sister. I don't like the fact that the mother is dying. That does take the fun out of Christmas. However the song has its points in which it puts the Christmas spirit back in. When the song starts out:

It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood

That tells me that there is someone not very happy during this time of year when standing in front of him is a boy in dirty clothes. When the boy realizes he doesn't have enough money and tells the store clerk that it is for his dying mother how the person behind him gives the boy enough money to buy the shoes for his mother. This tells you that even people who are grumpy during Christmas, they do have a heart and care. The song gets me in the spirit everytime I hear.

I agree

 

[celticdog]

I've heard it, i can't stand it, and thankfully the radio stations don't play it here.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I liked it the first time I heard it...but yes...EXTREMELY depressing.

Another song that I liked the first time I heard it...but not now is "The Gift"
(the little girl singing about bringing the hurt bird into church on Christmas Eve)

Little did I know that Garth Brooks sings this same song and I actually like his version.

 

[Tramp]

If you need to be reminded of the harsh realities of life during the holiday season, one need only read the threads by Alicia who just lost her Dad, or Ms. Snuzi who lost her Mom two weeks ago, or Jer, who recently lost his Grandpa. These good folks will be without their loved ones this Christmas for the first time. I can't think of a sadder song.

There's nothing in that song that's new to me, so I think I'll spend my time worrying about my forum friends who are sad today and offer them a shoulder to lean on and a prayer of comfort this holiday season. :kiss:

 

[Eeyore]

I lost my mother to cancer in February so I'm no stranger to pain, loss, and suffering. This will be a very difficult Christmas for my family as well.

I think there is a possibility that the people of Buffalo are just so used to being depressed that they've come to really like depressing songs. There is another song that the radio station plays that for some reason they think is a Christmas song. It's called Dear Mr. Jesus and I think its even worse than The Christmas Shoes.

http://mrmom.amaonline.com/special/DearMrJesus.htm

To me these songs are exploiting peoples suffering at the attempt to make a buck!

I'm really just looking to understand the appeal of these songs.

 

[TURKEY]

I think I'd rather listen to that song rather than "Christmas at Ground Zero" which is in the rotation at AS Movies.

It's wierd though, Music doesn't have any Christmas music playing. :hammer:

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

I have never heard this song before, but reading the lyrics really can choke you up. Yeah, I'll admit, I'm a softy. At least I'm man enough to admit it, as Grizz said he was crying during it too (I hope he wasn't being sarcastic!). This song has a very wonderful message.

A child is using his life savings to do one last good deed for his dying mother. He wants to see her happy before she meets Jesus, is that a bad thing? What's so wrong with a child wanting to see his mother so happy in her last minutes? This song is indeed very depressing, but it shows what the true holiday spirit is: making someone's life happier by putting a smile on their face.

This is just my opinion and you don't have to agree, but I happen to like what I read.

 

[Tramp]

A visit to the psychiatrist!

To me these songs are exploiting peoples suffering at the attempt to make a buck!

I'm really just looking to understand the appeal of these songs.

If I were on the psychiatric couch right now, I'd say, "Doc, these songs are so depressing but they make me feel good at the same time. They make me feel better about myself and my problems when I acknowledge that others are far worse off than me. It's Christmas season, Doc, and I'm in a very giving and loving mood. I wonder if I'd feel the same about this poor boy and his dying mother if, let's say, it was April 8th and not Christmas Eve? Do you think someone is trying to take advantage of my good nature during a spiritual season that makes me more vulnerable and receptive to the plights of the impoverished? One last thing, Doc. Should I feel guilty about the many presents under my tree while so many people manage with far less? I use to like Christmases with songs that didn't make me feel greedy, selfish or, God forbid, materialistic. Do you think, Doc, that the song was intended to do that to me? I guess I'll download it to my IPOD for 99 cents cuz I'm sure a portion of the proceeds goes to help the poor, right? Here's your hundred bucks, see ya next week, Doc!" :wave:

 

[Kadee]

OH THANKGOD there are others who HATE (and I do mean REALLY HATE!!!) this song as much as I do!!! I'm in the south and they play it at least once an hour on just about every radio station here. I thought I was the only one who hated this song. Most everyone around here loves the song, and everytime the hear it, says in their most southern accent.."Well, ain't that just the sweetest thang you eva heard? Bless his little heart!!" Makes me wanna puke. I read an editorial in a major newspaper that this NEVER happened. It was all made up just so some jack@$$ could sell some story for a few bucks. Just so everyone knows, I am the very sentimental type, but this has to be the corniest crap I've ever heard. It's not sentimental; its nausiating and exploitation.

 

[darthdarrel]

This song is weird to me, IT has a beautiful message, but everytime I hear it start to play on the radio I turn it iff, cause it always gets me depressed, so I just turn it off, cause christmas is a time for joy, loving and laughter, not a time for tears. :wave:

 

[sillyspook13]

I have never heard this song before, but reading the lyrics really can choke you up. Yeah, I'll admit, I'm a softy. At least I'm man enough to admit it, as Grizz said he was crying during it too (I hope he wasn't being sarcastic!). This song has a very wonderful message.

A child is using his life savings to do one last good deed for his dying mother. He wants to see her happy before she meets Jesus, is that a bad thing? What's so wrong with a child wanting to see his mother so happy in her last minutes? This song is indeed very depressing, but it shows what the true holiday spirit is: making someone's life happier by putting a smile on their face.

This is just my opinion and you don't have to agree, but I happen to like what I read.

I agree..... One could get a little teary-eyed reading the lyrics......







But just wait until you hear them sung- poorly- and far too often!
:hammer: :brick: :hurl: :dazzle: