Merry New York Christmas

It's been a lifetime, and the pain has most receded, but Christmas in NY in 2001 was a tough time for most New Yorkers. The endless funerals had finally ended, but reminders of September 11th were everywhere. National Guard troops inspecting every car entering the tunnels, a heavy police presence everywhere. The night before, I learned that an old friend had been working in the Towers that day, and was presumed dead. He was 32, with a wife and two kids. I was at the entrance of the midtown Tunnel, waiting for the Guardsmen to clear the cars in front of me when this song comes on the radio. DJ says it's a World Premier.

Call on your angels
Come down to the city
Crowd around the big tree
All you strangers who know me
Bring your compassion
Your understanding
Lord how we need it
On this New York City Christmas
Yeah I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas
And a prayer for peace on earth within our time
And the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand them
Now more than ever
So call on your angels
Your beaten and broken
It's time that we mend them
So they don't fade with the season
Let our mercy be the gifts we lay
From Brooklyn to Broadway
Celebrate each and every day
Of this New York City Christmas
Yeah I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas
And a prayer for peace on earth within our time
And the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand them
Now more than ever
Merry New York Christmas
Call on your angels
Come down to the city
Lets crowd around the big tree
All you strangers who know me
Bring your compassion
Bring your forgiveness.



As I listened, it was as if the singer was speaking to me. Few songs have ever touched me like this did, but by the time it was over, I just knew everything would be okay.

I had no idea who the singer was, and it was a brand new song that wasn't yet released. It didn't come out until the next Fall but I managed to get a promo copy much earlier. This song didn't save my life, but it helped me find something I didn't realize I'd lost.

Let our mercy be the gifts we lay,
From NY to La.
Celebrate each and every day,
Merry New York Christmas.

Written by Rob Thomas

Full lyrics below -

Call on your angels
Come down to the city
Crowd around the big tree
All you strangers who know me
Bring your compassion
Your understanding
Lord how we need it
On this New York City Christmas

Yeah I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas
And a prayer for peace on earth within our time
And the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand them
Now more than ever

So call on your angels 
Your beaten and broken
It's time that we mend them
So they don't fade with the season

Let our mercy be the gifts we lay
From Brooklyn to Broadway
Celebrate each and every day
Of this New York City Christmas

Yeah I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas
And a prayer for peace on earth within our time
And the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand them
Now more than ever
Merry New York Christmas

Call on your angels
Come down to the city
Lets crowd around the big tree
All you strangers who know me
Bring your compassion
Bring your forgiveness
Lord how we need it
On this New York City Christmas

Yeah I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas
And a prayer for peace on earth, it's not too late
And the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
We understand them
We understand
Now more than ever
Merry New York Christmas
It's a New York City Christmas

Merry New York Christmas