Cold White Christmas
Navigating Independence in the Chill of St. Paul
Lyrics
Cap & gown in purple & gold
Cap and gown in school colors, symbolizing academic achievement and graduation.
You're 22 years old & a woman now you're told
The person is 22 years old and facing the challenges of adulthood.
Aunt Beth & Charlie cut a check for the graduating niece
Aunt Beth and Charlie provide financial support for the niece's graduation.
& you marked your independence with a signature on a lease
The person asserts independence by signing a lease, indicating a move away from home.
But home was a photograph you taped to your wall
Home is a distant memory captured in a photograph on the wall.
It's gonna be a cold white Christmas in St Paul
Anticipation of a cold and lonely Christmas in St. Paul.
Beer for breakfast who's gonna scold
Defying conventions with beer for breakfast, a rebellious act.
You've got your early hours dulled by the cigarettes you rolled
Early hours blurred by the routine of rolling cigarettes.
Second shift as a fry cook that's your holiday in grease
Working the second shift as a fry cook, spending holidays in the kitchen.
& you trudge to work through the snow in a coat down to your knees
Struggling through snow to work, wearing a coat down to the knees.
& you linger at the twinkle lights as you pass by the mall
Reflecting on festive lights outside the mall while trudging to work.
& count the days to a cold white Christmas in St Paul
Counting down to a lonely and cold Christmas in St. Paul.
Feather down the nights get so cold
Nights are bitterly cold, emphasized by feather down, facing harsh realities.
& you ignore the smell of mold as you smooth out the folds
Ignoring unpleasant conditions, focusing on survival.
When you're on your own you've got no one to please
Being alone means there's no one to please or answer to.
In a Minnesota city just as bare & as mean as the winter trees
Describing a Minnesota city as bare and mean, paralleling the harsh winter.
But you'll be damned if you're the one making collect calls
Refusing to be the one making desperate collect calls during the holiday.
On a cold white Christmas in St Paul
Emphasizing the loneliness of a cold Christmas in St. Paul.
Yeah it's a cold white Christmas in St Paul
Reiterating the harsh reality of a cold, white Christmas in St. Paul.
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