Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
They say you see me when I’m sleeping
They say you know when I’m awake
They say you’ve got a list and checked it twice
For goodness’ sake
Last night I smelled the smoke while dreaming
Firelight danced along my wall
There were flames where my toys used to be
I heard my daddy down the hall
He carried me through the fury and noise
Through the cracking and the sound
Mama crying in the front yard
Watching everything fall down
Why didn’t you call the fire department, Santa?
You must’ve seen the fire glow
If you can see me while I’m sleeping
Then you must’ve seen the smoke
Why didn’t you call, Santa?
I’ve seen you on that shiny red truck
With your fireman and firewoman friends
You’ve got their numbers, I know you do
So why didn’t you call for us?
The house is gone but we’re still breathing
They say that means we’re okay
But I lost my room and my picture books
And the life I had yesterday
They wrapped me in the neighbor’s sweater
Someone gave me cocoa to hold
Everybody keeps on saying
“We’re just thankful you’re not cold”
Dad’s hands shake but he keeps on smiling
Like he’s trying not to cry
Mama says we’re still together
We should look on the bright side
Why didn’t you call the fire department, Santa?
You must’ve seen the fire glow
If you can see me while I’m sleeping
Then you must’ve seen the smoke
Why didn’t you call, Santa?
I’ve seen you on that shiny red truck
With your fireman and firewoman friends
You’ve got their numbers, I know you do
So why didn’t you call for us?
Maybe you only watch for wishes
Maybe you only look for cheer
Maybe smoke looks just like clouds
From way up in the air
Maybe the world is bigger than you
Even with your sleigh and elves
Now I know we can’t depend on you
We can only help ourselves
They put us up in Auntie’s spare room
Dad says we’ll build it back again
Mama says Christmas isn’t walls or lights
It’s faces and it’s friends
But every night when I close my eyes now
I still see orange in the dark
And I wait to hear the sirens
Before sleep can start
Still I wonder, Santa
Did you see the fire glow?
Did you see my dad run into flames
And carry me through smoke?
I’m glad death didn’t take my family
I’m glad that we’re all still here
But I thought you’d phone your firehouse friends
When danger came so near
I’m not mad, Santa
I just don’t understand
If you can see me while I’m sleeping
Why you didn’t lend a hand
Dad says some questions stay unanswered
Even on a holy night
So I’ll leave this note beside your cookies
Under broken Christmas lights
If you’re watching while I’m sleeping
Just one thing I hope you’ll do
If you ever see another fire
Please call the fire department too
They say you see me when I’m sleeping
They say you know when I’m awake
They say you’ve got a list and checked it twice
For goodness’ sake
Last night I smelled the smoke while dreaming
Firelight danced along my wall
There were flames where my toys used to be
I heard my daddy down the hall
He carried me through the fury and noise
Through the cracking and the sound
Mama crying in the front yard
Watching everything fall down
Why didn’t you call the fire department, Santa?
You must’ve seen the fire glow
If you can see me while I’m sleeping
Then you must’ve seen the smoke
Why didn’t you call, Santa?
I’ve seen you on that shiny red truck
With your fireman and firewoman friends
You’ve got their numbers, I know you do
So why didn’t you call for us?
The house is gone but we’re still breathing
They say that means we’re okay
But I lost my room and my picture books
And the life I had yesterday
They wrapped me in the neighbor’s sweater
Someone gave me cocoa to hold
Everybody keeps on saying
“We’re just thankful you’re not cold”
Dad’s hands shake but he keeps on smiling
Like he’s trying not to cry
Mama says we’re still together
We should look on the bright side
Why didn’t you call the fire department, Santa?
You must’ve seen the fire glow
If you can see me while I’m sleeping
Then you must’ve seen the smoke
Why didn’t you call, Santa?
I’ve seen you on that shiny red truck
With your fireman and firewoman friends
You’ve got their numbers, I know you do
So why didn’t you call for us?
Maybe you only watch for wishes
Maybe you only look for cheer
Maybe smoke looks just like clouds
From way up in the air
Maybe the world is bigger than you
Even with your sleigh and elves
Now I know we can’t depend on you
We can only help ourselves
They put us up in Auntie’s spare room
Dad says we’ll build it back again
Mama says Christmas isn’t walls or lights
It’s faces and it’s friends
But every night when I close my eyes now
I still see orange in the dark
And I wait to hear the sirens
Before sleep can start
Still I wonder, Santa
Did you see the fire glow?
Did you see my dad run into flames
And carry me through smoke?
I’m glad death didn’t take my family
I’m glad that we’re all still here
But I thought you’d phone your firehouse friends
When danger came so near
I’m not mad, Santa
I just don’t understand
If you can see me while I’m sleeping
Why you didn’t lend a hand
Dad says some questions stay unanswered
Even on a holy night
So I’ll leave this note beside your cookies
Under broken Christmas lights
If you’re watching while I’m sleeping
Just one thing I hope you’ll do
If you ever see another fire
Please call the fire department too
