Newsong- "The Christmas Shoes"

[HolidayGuy]

I had never heard this until a few days back. What kind of song is this for the holidays?

It's a semi tearjerker- but, I guess it reinforces the notion of doing good around the holidays, I dunno...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing 'round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes

His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Chorus:
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama's gonna look so great

Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight

Bridge:
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about

Repeat Chorus

[WhySoSerious?]

This song is so cloying and sappy. I cringe when I hear it.

[tico]

I first heard it in 2000. I nearly cried when I first heard it. It's one of my favorite Christmas songs, though. It does get to the heart of the real meaning of Christmas.

[giovannina]

Well, different strokes, eh? I think it's one of the most gawdawful, treacly tearjerker songs ever written -- not to mention, kind of weird sounding. (I mean, it seems odd that a kid who wanted his bedridden mama to look beautiful to meet Jesus would focus on buying something like shoes.) It's almost as puke-inducing as that trucker Teddy Bear song. But, hey, that's just me. And (sigh) that's "country music." 'T'was ever thus. ;)

[Hervard]

During the first few years of this song, it always brought tears to my eyes everytime I heard it. But then I saw the movie based on this song back around Christmastime, 2004. I think I used about a half a box of tissues watching that movie, because it was one of the most moving stories I've ever seen. And now, when I hear this song, it reminds me of the movie and it never fails to make me cry, especially at the end, when the little boy sings the last line. He just puts so much feeling into it.

[JCMF3]

Sappy Christmas song, but I don't cry when I hear it. It does touch me though.

[top40dj]

ulij20 said:

During the first few years of this song, it always brought tears to my eyes everytime I heard it.  But then I saw the movie based on this song back around Christmastime, 2004.  I think I used about a half a box of tissues watching that movie, because it was one of the most moving stories I've ever seen.  And now, when I hear this song, it reminds me of the movie and it never fails to make me cry, especially at the end, when the little boy sings the last line.  He just puts so much feeling into it. 

Yup...movie was excellent....

Now where's the movie for "U+Ur Hand"

[Arson]

The tune is fine, but I agree with TCorey, it is much too cloying.

[HolidayGuy]

Yeah, it's definitely craftred to get an emotional response and all, but it's effective in its goal. I can see why some people wouldn't like it, though. hehe

[dth1971]

I have the CD single of Country group 3 of Hearts cover version of the Newsong Christmas Shoes song.

[S4C]

dth1971 said:

I have the CD single of Country group 3 of Hearts cover version of the Newsong Christmas Shoes song.

That's probably the version my station plays... I'd rather hear Newsong, though.