[Verse 1] Bagpipes cut the cold like lantern light, Snow on the sill, the town wears white. Paper crinkle by the fire, a wooden train, A mitten left, a laugh that calls your name. Sleigh-bells rumble under star-bright air, Santa's shadow paints the rooftop there. Guitar chords drive, drums keep time, we hold the night, Hearts beat loud beneath the bagpipe flight. [Pre-Chorus ] When the wind narrows the road and vision fades, You ring at midnight — clear through the drifts and shades, You choose to stay, you choose my side, you bring the light, And then we lift, and then we sing... [Chorus - Hook] Santa lights the night — we choose the song Freedom's bells keep us strong Santa lights the night — we choose the song Freedom's bells keep us strong [Verse 2] Paper torn on hardwood, ribbon curls and fall, A wooden train that knows the name on the wall. Cookies cooled in clay, and footprints by the door, A jacket shared, the kettle on the floor. Through highs and cracks, through fist and cheer and scar, Your hand pulls me up where the cold leaves a scar. We pick our path: to stay, to run, to brave, to grieve, And love replies with the gifts we give and keep. [Pre-Chorus ] When the storm blindfolds the lane and lights go thin, You shove my sled, you laugh, you guide me in. You pick my coat, you dry my face, you hold me tight, And then we rise, and then we fight... [Chorus - Hook] Santa lights the night — we choose the song Freedom's bells keep us strong Santa lights the night — we choose the song Freedom's bells keep us strong [Bridge ] Fiddle answers, electric chords collide, Bagpipe drone and drum like ocean tide. Call me brave, call me home, call the name I kept, Call the vow we made, the promise that we kept. [Instrumental - Bagpipe Solo] (Lead bagpipe soars — drone beneath, guitar power chords, bodhrán backbeat) [Call & Response] Lead: When the road is gone, who stays? Group: We stay! Lead: When the night closes, who guides? Group: Your hand! Lead: When a choice is needed — who loves? Group: We love! [Final Chorus - Big] Santa lights the night — we choose the song Freedom's bells keep us strong (x2) Santa lights the night — we choose the song Freedom's bells keep us strong [Outro ] Paper crinkle, warm and near, the hearth still burns, Bagpipes fade to hush while one small lantern turns. Joy in gifts and fiercer still — the choices made along, Merry voices, open hands — freedom's bells keep us strong. [Arrangement Notes for Producers] - Tempo: 140 BPM (driving Celtic rock). - Core: sustained bagpipe drone under power-chord electric guitar. - Drums: bodhrán pattern on 2 & 4 with snare backbeat for rock punch. - Bass: punchy root notes locking with kick drum. - Fiddle: fills between vocal lines and countermelodies. - Bridge : build with rising vocal harmonies into a soaring bagpipe solo. - Call-and-response before final chorus for a stadium singalong feel. - Dynamics: verses tight and rhythmic; pre-chorus climbs; chorus explodes into short, punch