I generally don't -like- this song all that much, but there's something about that first verse that gets me; when it came on the list tonight, I couldn't help but think of some of the 'Christmas Rose' movements.

--
Just another night in New York City
Snow comes down, looks real pretty
Don't know how but suddenly there you are
With Jelly Roll Morton playin' for the bar
Inside here, lights are low
But each song has its own glow
As he floats them through that smoky air
You just can't believe he's really there
How old is he, cannot say--
But claims he taught Cab Calloway
And on this night I somehow believe him!
Knows every song that Christmas got
(Even ones my brain has dropped)
Just him and that old fir tree
All lit up this night
Electric blue.

Just another night in New York City
Snow comes down, looks real pretty
Can't believe but somehow there you are
Talking with strangers sittin' 'crost the bar
Suddenly, all are laughin'
This night's smart--always craftin'
Building bridges nearly everywhere
Hits a wall, it just builds a stair;
Outside the colored lights they bleed
For snow is white and colors need;
As it just comes down like pure salvation.
It offers all its amnesty
And makes your neighbor different, see?
By the light of that fir tree
And this old bar
Electrified in blue.

I gotta drop dead simple, childhood view of salvation.
Perhaps that's how it was always meant to be.
And the more I add up all this information,
It seems it all comes down in the end to you and me.
And you look around till you find a phone;
Then you call your mom and everyone at home--
And the bar looks on and they start to cheer,
When you talk to folks you haven't seen in years;
And the snow comes down and the children play
And they pray to God, it never goes away
And a childhood prayer should never be denied
As the night rolls on till its carolized....
Carolized! Carolized.....Carolized! Carolized.

And on this tree the lights are done
But the colors here are down to one--
I guess it kind of fits the situation;
Ornaments still shining bright
Watch them glitter in the light
Just this old fir tree and me
All lit up this night;
Electric blue!