The song "Won't Be Home For Christmas" by Hootie & The Blowfish is a heart-wrenching tale of a young child who writes a letter to Santa Claus, asking for her father to return home from the war instead of receiving gifts for Christmas. The child's father is a sergeant in the Marine Corps who is currently away at war, making the world a safer place. While the family will be able to talk to him on the phone, he won't be returning home for Christmas. The song shifts to the perspective of the soldiers overseas, who are struggling to find peace during the holiday season. The lyrics reveal the horrors of war with lines like "Artificial green and red, the blood we've seen" and "It's hard to rest at ease this Christmas overseas". The troops find comfort in their faith, with "We have God on our side, but we won't be home for Christmas". As the song concludes, the narrator asks for angels to appear where the "dust never clears" while the troops remain overseas. The song ends on a plea to tie a yellow ribbon around the Christmas tree, a symbol of hope and support for the soldiers who won't be returning home for the holiday season. Overall, "Won't Be Home For Christmas" is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by American troops during wartime and the toll it takes on their families during the holiday season.
