For me it was the "there'll" vs the "there'd". As it turns out Bono reversed their occurrence from the original. Plus a few other subtle changes. I recommend listening to the originals which are on Youtube to appreciate how good U2's little cover version is. Or dig out your old ELP records...
Here are Greg Lake's lyrics transcribed from his first solo release--
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the virgin birth
I remember one Christmas morning
A winter’s light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell
And eyes full of tinsel and fire
They sold me a dream of Christmas
They sold me a Silent Night
And they told me a fairy story
'Till I believed in the Israelite
And I believed in Father Christmas
And I looked to the sky with excited eyes
Then I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him and through his disguise
I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave New Year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'd be snow at Christmas
They said there'd be peace on Earth
Hallelujah Noel be it heaven or hell
The Christmas we get we deserve
I transcribed 2 versions of the original sung by Greg Lake before I even started transcribing the U2 one. The lyrics were exactly the same. So I knew I had a solid set to compare with.
I anticipated that Bono would somehow put his stamp on the song. The original was intended to be a statement about the over commercialization of Christmas. Bono's version, using a great singer's instincts for words, makes it a statement of faith. It reminds me somewhat of Yahweh.
Interesting that about 20 years ago U2 released another charity video,
It's Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home). which we all have now from the JT remaster.
I know it's a cover but this studio video is making me very anxious to hear the new album. Edge's guitar sounds so f...g good and Bono's voice is in excellent form. Watching Larry do the jingle bells, tambourine, and then the mallets...can't wait for more.
Sorry Adam, 3 notes wasn't much to play...
