Composed by East Carolina School of Music graduate Karen Hart and Tarboro-born Nashville songwriter Michael Kelsh,
'Carolina Christmas' premiered as the finale at the Cary Performing Arts Center Holiday Concerts of 2013

CAROLINA CHRISTMAS

I'm headed back home
To the place I love best
Like a fledgling in winter
Like a dove to her nest

There's a song in my heart
This time every year
When its Christmas in Carolina
And I'll be holding you near

Have a Carolina Christmas,
Say a prayer for those not with us,
Ask Santa to forgive us,
If we've been naughty once or twice,
Have a Carolina Christmas,
In the arms of those who love us,
Under the mistletoe above us,
Here's a kiss for auld lang syne.

It's Christmas in Carolina
And the loblolly pines Are all dusted with snow
As the twilight shines

When the shadows are falling
The frost in the air
Says Christmas in Carolina
When I'm holding you near

Have a Carolina Christmas,
Say a prayer for those not with us,
Ask Santa to forgive us,
If we've been naughty once or twice,
Have a Carolina Christmas,
In the arms of those who love us,
Under the mistletoe above us,
Here's a kiss for auld lang syne.

When I was a child
We hung a wreath on the door
There'd be a star on the tree
And gifts on the floor

I hope I can come back
This time every year
When it's Christmas in Carolina
And I'm holding you near

Have a Carolina Christmas,
Say a prayer for those not with us,
Ask Santa to forgive us,
If we've been naughty once or twice,
Have a Carolina Christmas,
In the arms of those who love us,
Under the mistletoe above us,
Here's a kiss for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne.

Copyright © 2013 / Karen Hart/ASCAP Michael Kelsh/BMI