IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY

snowy nights and Christmas lights
icy window panes
make me wish that we could be
together again
and the windy winter avenues
just don't seem the same
and the Christmas carols sound like blues
but the choir is not to blame

crowded stores • the corner Santa Claus
tinseled afternoon
and the sidewalk bands that play their songs
slightly out of tune
on the windy winter avenues
there walks a lonely man
and if I told you who he is
I think you understand

but it doesn't have to be that way
what we had should never have ended
and I'll be dropping by today
we could easily get it together tonight • it's only right

                                                      jim croce