[Vintage54]

                   Here's a song for the time of year.

                               Another side to christmas.

                      There's still food upon the table
                      But the plates are pushed aside
                      The large and lesser appetites
                      Have all been satisfied
                      The drink is flowing freely
                      The fire burning bright
                      And softly the old radio
                      Is singing silent night
                      But there's another side to christmas
                      Some shadows on the street
                      Thin shadows cast by people
                      That don't have enough to eat

                      Some show candles glowing
                      Some a wintry scene
                      The robin and red berries
                      Of the holy evergreen
                      Some show the nativity
                      Neath the star of Bethlehem
                      Some say "Merry christmas"
                      Some "Goodwill to all men"
                      But there's another side to christmas
                      The greeting cards don't show
                      Like the homeless beggar shivering
                      In the freezing wind and snow

                      The kids got what they wanted
                      Crosby's dream came true
                      Even the dog got a rubber bone
                      To get his teeth into
                      The wives they got their jewellery
                      The husbands got their drills
                      And St Marys bells were lost among
                      The ringing of the tills
                      But there's another side to christmas
                      Out of sight and earshot
                      Like those families of refugees
                      St Nicholas forgot

                      That other side of christmas
                      We know we should engage
                      But give no more than passing thought
                      Before we turn the page

                      So happy christmas and give thanks
                      That your name's not on that page
                      And your'e not standing on the wrong side
                      Of this Ebeneezer age.

                                    Best wishes
                                      Vintage54
                     

[GTB]

I love this song, excellent for Xmas, not too cheesy or preachy. You got the balance right for me.
Merry Xmas

[den]

oh dear, he's gone and raised the bloody bar again, excellent.
regards den.

[PaulAds]

somebody please write a great xmas song using these lyrics 

[mickeytwonames]

The large and lesser appetites - What a fantastic line

My only comment would be the last line of the verse being a perfect rhyme make it a tad predictable
It seems to me 'But there's another side to christmas ....' is a chorus/reprise and it could be the same for each verse (putting on the pedant hat you write about the other SIDES of Christmas) so one sharp contrast between the haves and have nots would make the point. IMHO
                     

[hardtwistmusic]

 Here's a song for the time of year.

A (very) few suggestions.  This was a stunningly thoughtful job of comparing what Christmas is supposed to be (the feel good Christmas Myth) with what Christmas really is - a temporary suspension of an un-necessarily grim reality. 

It is a songwriter's duty (imo) to expose such things.  Not necessarily in every song, but when it can be done.  You have more than met your burden here for some time to come. 

                               Another side to christmas.

                      There's still food upon the table
                      But the plates are pushed aside
                      The large and lesser appetites
                      Have all been satisfied
                      The drink is flowing freely
                      The fire burning bright
                      And softly the old radio
                      Is singing silent night
                      But there's another side to christmas
                      Some shadows on the street
                      Thin shadows cast by people
                      Without That don't have enough to eat

                      Some show candles glowing
                      Some a wintry scene
                      The robin and red berries
                      Of the holy evergreen
                      Some show the nativity
                      Neath the star of Bethlehem
                      Some say "Merry christmas"
                      Some "Goodwill to all men"
                      But there's another side to christmas
                      The greeting cards don't show
                      Like the homeless beggar shivering
                      In the freezing wind and snow

                      The kids got what they wanted
                      Crosby's dream came true
                      Even the dog got a rubber bone
                      To get his teeth into
                      The wives they got their jewellery
                      The husbands got their drills
                      And St Marys bells were lost among
                      The ringing of the tills
                      But there's another side to christmas
                      Out of sight and earshot
                      Like those families of refugees
                      St Nicholas forgot

                      That other side of christmas
                      We know we should engage
                      But give no more than passing thought
                      Before we turn the page

                      So happy christmas.  and Give your thanks.
                      That Your name's not on that page
                      And your'e not standing on the wrong side
                      Of this Ebeneezer age.

[tomcrocus]

Top drawer Vintage,
                            i don't really care much for the usual run of
the mill christmas songs,except maybe one or two,but i'd love to
hear this one put to music,
                                     best wishes,Tom.

[Paulski]

Lovely Christmas lyric Vintage.
It has a classic feel to it with nary a nit to be found under this tree.

Happy holidays (on this side anyway

[Neil C]

Vintage
Evocative picture painted here. Particularly like the ' bells and tills' and 'passing pages' lines but all in all up to your very highest standards as usual.
Now just wait for the sleigh bells, can you hear them in the distance i wonder... 
 
Neil