Donna Ulisse — “You Cannot Stay Here”

Songwriter: Donna Ulisse

Well, it’s the holiday season, which means that, short of moving into an abandoned missile silo, for the next four weeks you won’t be able to escape a near-constant soundtrack of Christmas music. Luckily, bluegrass songbird Donna Ulisse has a new Christmas song that will soothe even the Grinchiest of hearts. “You Cannot Stay Here,” one of two digital singles that will be part of Ulisse’s upcoming holiday album, which is due for release by Christmas of 2012.

The lyrics, written by Ulisse, vividly depict the Biblical scene in which the innkeeper, though not unmoved by their plight and their “but we’re carrying the son of God” pleas, tells Mary and Joseph “I see your woman’s burden underneath her garment/But, brother, there’s no bed,” and directs the exhausted pair to the stable “where the beasts will keep you warm” and “the roof will keep you dry until the sunlight brings the morn.”

The song’s sparse, acoustic arrangement is simply lovely. Husband Rick Stanley and producer Keith Sewell (who also contributes guitar and banjo) support Ulisse’s crystal clear alto with sweetly sung harmonies while Andy Leftwich and Viktor Krauss play mandolin and bass, respectively.

“You Cannot Stay Here” is a fine respite from the more bombastic Christmas songs that hit the air this time every year. In fact, it’s a track you might find yourself listening to year-round.

Preview “You Cannot Stay Here” at Bluegrass Today