Every Christmastime since 2005, I've recorded a Christmas carol to share. This year, I wanted to write something that spoke to our unique moment in time. This year's not the same-- some things never change!
Please enjoy this year's new carol, plus all my carols from the past 16 years now on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you stream your music! The entire album is free to download right over on my Music page, too!
Song lyrics:
v1:
It’s my favorite time of year
Super festive atmosphere
Christmas parties, seeing friends
Singing carols each weekend
Making plans to travel home
Hugging cousins who have grown
Eating cookies, drinking wine
All around a twinkling pine
CHORUS:
It’s tradition, this year’s not the same
It’s tradition, some things never change
v2:
What I just can’t quite believe
Is it’s almost Christmas Eve
Time has crawled but time has flown
While I’ve spent the year at home
Parties canceled, friends unseen
Christmas concerts on a screen
Nothing feels like years ago
Doesn’t even look like snow
CHORUS:
It’s tradition, this year’s not the same
It’s tradition, some things never change
Bridge:
Even this year at a distance
Even though we’re miles apart
I still hold you tightly
In my heart
v3:
Christmas dinner over miles
Different tables, same big smiles
Gifts delivered from online
There’s still cookies, there’s still wine
CHORUS:
It’s tradition, this year’s not the same
It’s tradition, some things never change
It’s tradition, this year’s not the same
It’s tradition, some things never change
"It's Tradition"
Written by Jessica Rau, Cait Leow, Feodor Chin (ASCAP)
Produced by Nikolas Thompson - Music Composer / Producer
Jessica Rau: vocals, Casio synthesizer, glockenspiel
Cait Leow: additional vocals
Zach Bardon: guitar
Nikolas Thompson: additional instruments
Mixed by Nikolas Thompson
Recorded in California, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Korea
"It’s Tradition" album mastered by Nikolas Thompson
Photo by Jonathan Ward Rau
Design by Katie Olsen
Music video shot by Feodor Chin, edited by Jessica Rau