Song Meaning
Lynn Anderson's "Soon It Will Be Christmas Day" isn't just holiday cheer; it's a carefully constructed echo chamber of childhood anticipation. The song doesn't delve into the religious core of Christmas, choosing instead to focus on the secular trappings that fuel a child's imagination: the 'tiny silver bells,' the 'stockings hung with care,' and the omnipresent threat/promise of Santa's judgment. Anderson taps into the psychology of delayed gratification, amplifying the tension between the present moment—filled with 'excitements' almost too hard to bear—and the promised land of Christmas morning. This creates a powerful, almost unbearable sense of longing. The repeated refrain underscores the cyclical nature of this anticipation, a yearly ritual of manufactured excitement.
What's interesting is the subtle, almost subliminal, pressure woven into the lyrics. The line about 'boys and girls are just as good as they can be' isn't merely a sweet sentiment; it's a behavioral imperative, a reminder that Santa's reward system is contingent on obedience. This introduces a layer of anxiety beneath the surface of the festive atmosphere. The song becomes less about pure joy and more about the performance of goodness, driven by the desire for external validation in the form of 'lots of presents.'
Ultimately, "Soon It Will Be Christmas Day" captures the complex emotional landscape of childhood during the holidays. It's a portrait of manufactured joy, fueled by anticipation, tempered by anxiety, and ultimately resolved (at least temporarily) by the arrival of Santa and his gifts. The song reminds us that Christmas, through a child's eyes, is a potent mix of magic and manipulation, a carefully orchestrated performance where everyone plays their part.
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