《The Christmas Guest》歌词

[00:00:00] The Christmas Guest - Johnny Cash (约翰尼·卡什)

[00:00:11] It happened one day near December's end

[00:00:14] Two neighbors called on an old friend

[00:00:17] And they found his shop so meager and lean

[00:00:20] Made gay with thousand bows of green

[00:00:22] And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine

[00:00:26] When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine

[00:00:28] And he said "Old friends at dawn today

[00:00:32] When the cock was crowing the night away

[00:00:34] The Lord appeared in a dream to me

[00:00:37] And said "I'm coming your guest to be "

[00:00:40] So I've been busy with feet astir

[00:00:43] Strewing my shop with branches of fern

[00:00:45] The table is spread and the kettle is shined

[00:00:48] And over the rafters the holly is twined

[00:00:51] Now I'll wait for my Lord to appear

[00:00:54] And listen closely so I will hear

[00:00:57] His step as He nears my humble place

[00:01:00] And I'll open the door and look on His face

[00:01:05] So his friends went home and left Conrad alone

[00:01:08] For this was the happiest day he had known

[00:01:11] For long since his family had passed away

[00:01:14] And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day

[00:01:19] But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas Guest

[00:01:22] This Christmas would be the dearest and best

[00:01:25] So he listened with only joy in his heart

[00:01:29] And with every sound he would rise with a start

[00:01:32] And look for the Lord to be at his door

[00:01:34] Like the vision he had had a few hours before

[00:01:38] So he ran to the window after hearing a sound

[00:01:41] But all he could see on the snow covered ground

[00:01:43] Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn

[00:01:46] And all of his clothes were ragged and worn

[00:01:50] But Conrad was touched and he went to the door

[00:01:53] And he said "You know your feet must be frozen and sore

[00:01:57] I have some shoes in my shop for you

[00:02:00] And a coat that will keep you warmer too "

[00:02:03] So with grateful heart the man went away

[00:02:06] But Conrad noticed the time of day

[00:02:09] And wondered what made the Lord so late

[00:02:12] And how much longer he'd have to wait

[00:02:14] When he heard a knock he ran to the door

[00:02:17] But it was only a stranger once more

[00:02:20] A bent old lady with a shawl of black

[00:02:23] With a bundle of kindling piled on her back

[00:02:27] She asked for only a place to rest

[00:02:29] But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest

[00:02:35] But her voice seemed to plead "Don't send me away

[00:02:38] Let me rest for awhile on Christmas Day"

[00:02:43] So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup

[00:02:47] And told her to sit at the table and sup

[00:02:49] But after she left he was filled with dismay

[00:02:52] For he saw that the hours were slipping away

[00:02:55] And the Lord hadn't come as he said he would

[00:02:58] Then Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood

[00:03:02] When out of the stillness he heard a cry

[00:03:05] "Please help me and tell me where am I "

[00:03:08] So again he opened his friendly door

[00:03:11] And stood disappointed as twice before

[00:03:13] It was only a child who'd wandered away

[00:03:17] And was lost from her family on Christmas Day

[00:03:20] Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad

[00:03:23] But he knew he should make the little girl glad

[00:03:26] So he called her in and he wiped her tears

[00:03:29] And quieted all her childish fears

[00:03:31] Then he led her back to her home once more

[00:03:34] But as he entered his own darkened door

[00:03:37] He knew the Lord was not coming today

[00:03:40] For the hours of Christmas had passed away

[00:03:43] So he went to his room and knelt down to pray

[00:03:46] And he said "Dear Lord why did you delay

[00:03:49] What kept you from coming to call on me

[00:03:52] For I wanted so much your face to see "

[00:03:56] When soft in the silence a voice he heard

[00:04:00] "Lift up your head for I kept my word

[00:04:04] Three times my shadow crossed your floor

[00:04:07] And three times I came to your lonely door

[00:04:10] I was the beggar with bruised cold feet

[00:04:14] And I was the woman you gave something to eat

[00:04:16] I was the child on the homeless street

[00:04:20] Three times I knocked and three times I came in

[00:04:23] And each time I found the warmth of a friend

[00:04:26] Of all the gifts love is the best

[00:04:29] And I was honored to be your Christmas Guest