The Christmas Guest-Johnny Cash

[ti:The Christmas Guest] [ar:Johnny Cash] [al:Classic Christmas] [by:] [offset:0] [00:00.00]The Christmas Guest - Johnny Cash (约翰尼·卡什) [00:11.50]It happened one day near December's end [00:14.17]Two neighbors called on an old friend [00:17.26]And they found his shop so meager and lean [00:20.00]Made gay with thousand bows of green [00:22.91]And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine [00:26.36]When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine [00:28.95]And he said "Old friends at dawn today [00:32.09]When the cock was crowing the night away [00:34.98]The Lord appeared in a dream to me [00:37.52]And said "I'm coming your guest to be " [00:40.70]So I've been busy with feet astir [00:43.13]Strewing my shop with branches of fern [00:45.99]The table is spread and the kettle is shined [00:48.86]And over the rafters the holly is twined [00:51.53]Now I'll wait for my Lord to appear [00:54.85]And listen closely so I will hear [00:57.26]His step as He nears my humble place [01:00.49]And I'll open the door and look on His face [01:05.50]So his friends went home and left Conrad alone [01:08.50]For this was the happiest day he had known [01:11.59]For long since his family had passed away [01:14.84]And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day [01:19.14]But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas Guest [01:22.23]This Christmas would be the dearest and best [01:25.65]So he listened with only joy in his heart [01:29.15]And with every sound he would rise with a start [01:32.30]And look for the Lord to be at his door [01:34.65]Like the vision he had had a few hours before [01:38.19]So he ran to the window after hearing a sound [01:41.18]But all he could see on the snow covered ground [01:43.91]Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn [01:46.92]And all of his clothes were ragged and worn [01:50.47]But Conrad was touched and he went to the door [01:53.33]And he said "You know your feet must be frozen and sore [01:57.17]I have some shoes in my shop for you [02:00.25]And a coat that will keep you warmer too " [02:03.61]So with grateful heart the man went away [02:06.83]But Conrad noticed the time of day [02:09.18]And wondered what made the Lord so late [02:12.02]And how much longer he'd have to wait [02:14.59]When he heard a knock he ran to the door [02:17.82]But it was only a stranger once more [02:20.58]A bent old lady with a shawl of black [02:23.50]With a bundle of kindling piled on her back [02:27.09]She asked for only a place to rest [02:29.90]But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest [02:35.22]But her voice seemed to plead "Don't send me away [02:38.81]Let me rest for awhile on Christmas Day" [02:43.84]So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup [02:47.28]And told her to sit at the table and sup [02:49.93]But after she left he was filled with dismay [02:52.78]For he saw that the hours were slipping away [02:55.59]And the Lord hadn't come as he said he would [02:58.65]Then Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood [03:02.67]When out of the stillness he heard a cry [03:05.72]"Please help me and tell me where am I " [03:08.82]So again he opened his friendly door [03:11.16]And stood disappointed as twice before [03:13.62]It was only a child who'd wandered away [03:17.02]And was lost from her family on Christmas Day [03:20.61]Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad [03:23.54]But he knew he should make the little girl glad [03:26.33]So he called her in and he wiped her tears [03:29.19]And quieted all her childish fears [03:31.80]Then he led her back to her home once more [03:34.46]But as he entered his own darkened door [03:37.54]He knew the Lord was not coming today [03:40.52]For the hours of Christmas had passed away [03:43.98]So he went to his room and knelt down to pray [03:46.81]And he said "Dear Lord why did you delay [03:49.80]What kept you from coming to call on me [03:52.80]For I wanted so much your face to see " [03:56.45]When soft in the silence a voice he heard [04:00.00]"Lift up your head for I kept my word [04:04.35]Three times my shadow crossed your floor [04:07.44]And three times I came to your lonely door [04:10.90]I was the beggar with bruised cold feet [04:14.02]And I was the woman you gave something to eat [04:16.78]I was the child on the homeless street [04:20.08]Three times I knocked and three times I came in [04:23.04]And each time I found the warmth of a friend [04:26.48]Of all the gifts love is the best [04:29.39]And I was honored to be your Christmas Guest