I remember how the snow fell in December
And angels flew in pageants and in dreams
And I came in at six o'clock from a long hard day of playing
To the warmth of Mama's cookinOr was it the warmth of Mama's love?

There were cardboard pirate ships and mud puddle seas
And the backyard was a battleground for cowboys
When Daddy drug me outta bed on early Sunday morning
I remember how he smiled at me and said

He said, "Rise, rise and shine
The day is coming on
And you know the night is gone
So rise"

I remember how the shepherds lay in slumber
And the angels came and broke them from their dreams
As Mary raised her weary head
And Joseph stood there grinning
The world awoke to the coming of a king

There were haystacks in his palace
And a manger was his throne
As a hush fell on the little town of David
And the hillside never shined so bright
As early Christmas morning
You could almost hear the very heavens sing

They sang, "Rise, rise and shine
The sun is coming in
And the morning light is shining in
Your eyes, oh rise and shine
The day is coming on
And you know the night is gone so rise"

I remember how the sunlight turned to thunder
And the people ran for shelter from the rain
And the curtain tore and the saints awoke
And the whole earth seemed to tremble
From the fury of God's anger
Or was it the fury of His love?

There were shadows on the tomb there in the garden
And the mist was rising slowly through the trees
When Mary saw the silhouette on early Easter morning
I remember how he smiled at her and said

He said, "Rise, rise and shine
The sun is coming in
And the morning light is shining in
Your eyes, oh rise and shine
The day is coming on
And you know the night is gone so rise"