At Christmastime

Scrappy Jud Newcomb accompanies a road-weary Slaid Cleaves just before soundcheck at The Southgate House Revival in Newport, Kentucky, during the 2022 Summer Tour.
Camera work by Otis Gibbs and Todd Fox. Edited by Otis Gibbs. (Thanks, guys!) You can find more of their great work at:
/ @otisgibbs
/ toddfoxphotography
Slaid says: I wrote "At Christmastime" to the tune of my favorite Duke Levine instrumental, "The Stars Look Down." I was going for the saddest Christmas song ever.
I stayed in town too long I guess
I can't afford regrets
I saw the writing on the wall
We all pinned our hopes upon
The politician's song
But all is silent in the empty union hall
Was a time, when factories hummed
Enough for everyone
We didn't notice what we had
Today I'll drive to the Dollar Tree
I work from 8 to 3
And then nursing home, to check on Mom and Dad
Sister married, moved out west
Took the civil service test
Delivers bills and junk mail
On the streets of the big city now
Younger brother joined the Corps
And on deployment number four
Took some shrapnel in his knee
And puts up with the pain somehow
And as for those who moved away
I wonder if they'd say
They think about this place they left behind
This old house is all that's left
A family once so blessed
The memories echo off the walls at Christmastime
written by Slaid Cleaves, Duke Levine

[@Invictus13666]

I’m not sure how much better y’all could be. Love you guys. Without her 💔❤

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks so much for posting.

[@markwalkercoach]

Playing those heart-strings. Love it Slaid and Jud. Appreciate your art! Resonates.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks for taking the time to write, Mark.

[@dianethornhill3973]

Slaid, Otis. Perfect ✌🏽🧡😊

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Otis is the best!

[@kc8923]

Hoping Slaid comes on tour to UK next year, not seen him live for a while now.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Staying close to home these days. Maybe see you in Texas!

[@darrenclauss1065]

Love this song Slaid! It's as sad as your song "Temporary" ......hits me in the guts just the same way. Reminds me that I am not the only one thinking about loved ones from the past when I am looking at those old walls. Yet, it's a Christmas song, and one of the few that I like. That makes 2 for you Slaid, this one, and your Mr. Grinch song. Right on man............ anyway, it's December 7th and I am lucky enough to have my drum boots on.....rode my motorcycle to work today! Pretty rare for Indiana December time.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks for the nice note, Darren. RIde on!

[@davidmiglin4110]

Great song. Southgate House is an excellent venue

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks!

[@saltydogfarm]

I've been a fan for a long time. My 12 yo daughter is bitten by the song writing bug. I try to get as much of your work in her ear as possible. 🤗

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

So cool. Gotta nurture that new generation of songwriters.

[@karithwhirty4281]

Thank you, man. You always drop exactly what I need at exactly the right point in my life. So much love to you and yours, may health keep y'all close. One day, I'll annoy y'all at a live show again.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

That means so much. Thank you.

[@paulelliott3220]

This is a sublime song, penned and beautifully sung by the mighty Slaid
Lovely location for the lament and hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas despite everything
Awesome ✅

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thank you, Paul!

[@batman48195]

👏🏻👏🏻 very nice. I heard about you from Otis. I’ll check out more of your music. All 3 of my sons live out of state now. Makes the holidays less fun. I’ll have one home this year 😊

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Hey thanks. Love me some Otis.

[@RichardMcSweeney]

A lovely sincere presentation.
Thank you.
". . . puts up with the pain somehow . . ."
Be of a goodly courage. :)

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to write.

[@RichardMcSweeney]

You're very welcome! :)@@SlaidCleavesOfficial

[@tonydicorpo5673]

Great as always Slaid, and love hearing that legendary Texas guitar slingin' Scrappy!!

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks, Tony.

[@elizabethmcgrady9857]

Beautiful words telling a heartfelt story

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks so much.

[@jantaylor6499]

Thank you. Again. You make wonderful music! So glad you share it with us.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Glad you found us, Jan. Thanks.

[@lewditommaso6097]

Wonderful. Nice seeing you in cyberspace. Hopefully I can get it together to catch a show next time around on the seacoast. It's been awhile. I do recognize the guitar.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks, Lew! Yep, the guitar my dad bought in 1965.

[@tbbb2]

Brilliant guys---hope y'all have a great Christmas!

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks!

[@a105-t5m]

they just announced layoffs for February in Toledo and Detroit. Shawn can say what he wants, but we all know it's just a UAW corp VS an International one. Loved since rustbelt fields, just wish everyone could understand the game.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks for taking the time to write.

[@NeilShrubb]

Absolutely beautiful

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks!

[@msalty2823]

Good to see new music and to find out that Otis is doing more and more creative things. Hope to see you on tour in the spring.

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Indeed. Otis is doing great work.

[@JamesWoodall-s4j]

Very Cool. Merry Christmas!

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

And a Happy New Year!

[@joeebert5486]

It's nice to see you perform as I've only listened to you on Pandora. You're a wonderful storyteller!

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks so much!

[@videoluvr4204]

good

[@SlaidCleavesOfficial]

Thanks