A A A A
A A D C B
A A D C B

[Verse 1]
A
"Bah, humbug!"  No, that's too strong 
          A
'Cause it is my favorite holiday
    D
But all this year's been a busy blur
       C                B
Don't think I have the energy
   A
To add to my already mad rush
        A
Just 'cause it 'tis the season.
    D
The perfect gift for me would be
     C               B
Completions and connections left from
 A
Last year, ski shop,
   A
Encounter, most interesting.
D
Had his number but never the time
C                     B
Most of '81 passed along those lines.
   A
So deck those halls, trim those trees
A
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
D
I just need to catch my breath,
E             A
Christmas by myself this year.

[Horn Solo]
A A A A
A A A A

[Verse 2]
A
Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
A
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
D
Evergreens, sparkling snow
C                          B
Get this winter over with!      

                A
Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
A
Would've been good to go for lunch,
D
Couldn't agree when we were both free.
   C                    B
We tried, we said we'd keep in touch.

A
Didn't, of course, 'til summertime,
A
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
D
No, this time it was me,
C               B
Sunburn in the third degree.

A
Now the calendar's just one page
            A
And, of course, I am excited.
  D
Tonight's the night, I've set my mind
        E           A
Not to do too much about it.

[Horn Solo]
A A A A
A A A A

D G D  Bm A
D G D  Bm A
D G D  Bm A
D G D  F#m     
Em     D


[Bridge]
        A            
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
        E                  A
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
        A                  
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
        E                  A
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
        A                   
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
        E                  A
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
        A          
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
        E                  A
But I think I'll miss this one this year.

[Verse 3]
A
Hardly dashing through the snow
A
'Cause I bundled up too tight.
D
Last minute, had to do
        C              B
A few cards, a few calls,

             A
Because it's R. S. V. P.
A
No thanks, no party lights.
         D
It's Christmas Eve, gonna relax,
C                   B
Turned down all of my invites.

A
Last fall I had a night to myself,
A
Same guy called, Halloween party,
D
Waited all night for him to show,
C                  B
This time his car wouldn't go.

    A
Forget it, it's cold, it's getting late,
A
Trudge on home to celebrate
        D
In a quiet way, unwind
E                A
Doing Christmas right this time.

[Horn Solo]
A A A A
A A A A

[Verse 4]
A
A&P has provided me
             A
With the world's smallest turkey
   D
Already in the oven, nice and hot
   C                B
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?

        A
So on with the boots, back out in the snow
        A
To the only all-night grocery,
        D
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
        C                         B
In the line is that guy I've been chasing all year!

        A
"I'm spending this one alone," he said.
            A
"Need a break; this year's been crazy."
  D
I said, "Me too, but why are you?
         C              B
You mean you forgot cranberries too?"

        A
Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
        A
Caught on to what was happening
        D
That Christmas magic's brought this tale
        E           A
To a very happy ending!

[Horn Solo]
A A A A
A A A A

D G D  Bm A
D G D  Bm A
D G D  Bm A
D G D  F#m     
Em     D

[Outro]
         A            
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
E                   A
Couldn't miss this one this year!
        A             
Merry Christmas!  Merry Christmas!
E                  A
Couldn't miss this one this year!
        A             
Merry Christmas!  Merry Christmas!
E                  A
Couldn't miss this one this year!
        A             
Merry Christmas!  Merry Christmas!
E                  A
Couldn't miss this one this year!