SONGoftheDAY: “Is It Christmas Where You Are?” by John Lilly
SONG OF THE DAY: “Is It Christmas Where You Are?”
ARTIST: Song written and performed by John Lilly
Charleston-based singer-songwriter John Lilly talks about the story behind this song:
This song was written in 1990, during the first Gulf War. I was living in Nashville, and the word went out that people in the music community there were putting together Christmas “CARE” packages for the service men and women overseas. Many people donated recordings and poems and baked goods — I wrote and recorded this song, visualizing the hot desert and inhospitable scene that would greet the soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait on Christmas morning. (Funny note, the original demo of this song, the one I sent overseas, featured a trio of me on guitar and vocal, a friend named Mike Garvey on piano, and the great David Ball on bass. Soon thereafter, David had a huge hit record called “Thinking Problem” and continues to be a popular traditional country singer. But he was doing demo work at the time and played on my session.)
Anyway, the song got sent overseas. I don’t recall the exact mechanism of its travels, but I know it arrived in the Middle East. A few weeks later, I received a very nice note from an Army general in Iraq, thanking me for the song and informing me that it had been played several times on American Armed Forces Radio. I was thrilled! After that, the song just got filed away until the current Iraq conflict began. I was reminded of the song and began singing it at my gigs around Christmastime each year. I cut the new demo with just voice and guitar at the church next door to my house here in Elk Hills. Todd Burge made the recording, and I played my treasured 1930s Sicilian Silvestri guitar.
Since then, the song has become part of my Christmas consciousness each year. I always look forward to playing and singing it. No longer strictly a military salute in my mind, I think it has meaning for anyone who wonders whether Christmas is “just another day,” or if it will hold the promise of something better. I hope for the latter.
Merry Christmas!
December 20th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptMany people donated recordings and poems and baked goods — I wrote and recorded this song, visualizing the hot desert and inhospitable scene that would greet the soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait on Christmas morning. … […]
December 20th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I just sent this site to my husband stationed in Okinawa. Thanks for doing this for all our soldiers. I write poetry and send too. Here’s one..
Appreciate Our Soldiers
Like so many other wives
I send my husband off to war.
Life will never be the same
Carefree like before.
But someone has to go
To defend the freedom that we love.
So I place him in Gods’ hands
I need help from above.
“Keep him safe dear Lord”
Is my daily prayer.
“Please watch over him
Because I can’t be there.”
Like so many other wives
I know my husbands’ worth.
He’s fighting for a bigger cause.
Peace on Earth.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:58 am
This is great! I just love finding songs that honor Christmas .. especially when they remember our military guys away from home. John Lilly is a winner in my book.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:45 pm
John, Thanks so much for the Christmas wish and the wonderful song. While I was listening my friend walked into the room and said “Is that James Taylor?” I think you should send the song to Brad Paisley. I hope that you and your family have a merry Christmas. Give my love to George and Mason. Kathy
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:05 am
John, my baby boy, Sgt. Matthew Garrison is currently deployed in Baghdad and I emailed this link to him yesterday; I’ve listened, and cried, often too. Thanx from the bottom of a mother’s heart and soul for this song and for what it means to those not here and those who are here without our soldiers. It’s my new favorite xmas song.
Carole Booth
Chas. wv
December 27th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
It is all about the ‘LITTLE’ things. How wonderful to have the gift of songwriting and the heart of an angel to share at this and all times of the year!
December 30th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
John, I just loved your song. It is written and performed from the heart. I have sent this to my email friends so they too can enjoy your music. You are great!
December 31st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
John,
I am one of the people to whom Sandy emailed your song…also the mother of a soldier who served in the 1st Gulf War. Thanks for using your talent to honor both Christmas and soldiers. May your New Year be full of blessings.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Itis great to hear about the memories that seem to have come back to the top of the barrel from the Gulf War Sr. I enjoyed your song and wish you the best of new years and hopefully many, many blessings from this. I myself am a veteran from Gulf War Sr and now my younger brother is serving his second term in Jr. I know the soldiers of the many military branches appreciate your and others support!!
January 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
It is yet unclear as to the extent of the impact that your songs have/will have on people who really need to be touched, John. I am in awe of the way in which God is using your music to comfort others and evoke thought. I pray that you always follow your heart. So far the results have been amazing!
)
Love always,
Sue Dill
October 20th, 2008 at 11:47 am
My husband will be in the desert for Christmas. It is the first Christmas he won’t be with our children. We know that he is needed there more, and we love him for his committment to his country and our family. We pray that God will take care of him and help me find meaningful gifts to send for christmas this year. That is why I am researching this music. I want to purchase it and slip it in his bag along with a couple of other things. Even though he is far away serving our country, I want him to remember the love that God has for him and the love that we feel for him is real on this christmas day. Misty