Father Christmas

Album: The Misfits (1977)
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  • When I was small I believed in Santa Claus
    Though I knew it was my dad
    And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
    Open my presents and I'd be glad

    But the last time I played Father Christmas
    I stood outside a department store
    A gang of kids came over and mugged me
    And knocked my reindeer to the floor

    They said
    Father Christmas, give us some money
    Don't mess around with those silly toys
    We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
    We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
    Give all the toys to the little rich boys

    Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
    Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
    We don't want a jigsaw or monopoly money
    We only want the real mccoy

    Father Christmas, give us some money
    We'll beat you up if you make us annoyed
    Father Christmas, give us some money
    Don't mess around with those silly toys

    But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
    He's got lots of mouths to feed
    But if you've got one I'll have a machine gun
    So I can scare all the kids on the street

    Father Christmas, give us some money
    We got no time for your silly toys
    We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
    Give all the toys to the little rich boys

    Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
    Have yourself a good time
    But remember the kids who got nothin'
    While you're drinkin' down your wine

    Father Christmas, give us some money
    We got no time for your silly toys
    Father Christmas, please hand it over
    We'll beat you up so don't make us annoyed

    Father Christmas, give us some money
    We got no time for your silly toys
    We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
    We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
    Give all the toys to the little rich boys Writer/s: Ray Davies
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Walter Sobchak from Maryland Father Christmas is the epitome of benevolence during the Yuletide Season. There is no malice in Father Christmas whatsoever.
  • Ken from Philadelphia, PaIf you caught a supremely talented musician on a really bad day, you might be able to squeeze a Christmas song with this much angry wit out of him or her. It would not, however, become a classic. And, of all the people, famous and unknown, who have written classic Christmas songs, only one can correctly be said to have written one that is both a classic and as angry as the day is long. That one person is, of course Ray Davies, and I would submit that even before he wrote it, he was the odds on favorite to write the first and last angry Christmas song. It was really only a matter of time.

    I always assumed that one of the reasons I lean toward punk rock and Garage band type music is because it is so accessible. It easy to listen to great song and envision yourself being just mediocre enough that, if a million stars aligned just right at the exact moment a blessed inspiration rolled over you, you might just be able to produce something almost as good. Even though the Kinks arguably were the first punks, I never felt like I could have written a Ray Davies song. Whatever happened in his childhood to create that mixture of brilliant observation skills, razor-sharp wit, and yes that deep-seated anger and, of course, the ability to treat the English language like watercolors and paint masterpieces with it on a whim, it has rarely, if ever been repeated in humans.

    In cases like this, it is best to just enjoy an awesome song rather than overanalyze, and Ray wrote a GREAT song in Father Christmas”.
  • Tom from Marietta, OhThe Greg Lake song is "I Believe in Father Christmas" so it's not quite the same title as this one. It's a vastly different but still awesome song, although like this one it has meaning behind it.
  • George from Las Vegas, NvI also should say to Randy in Ohio, NO, that is not the same song, not even close.
  • George from Las Vegas, NvThe kinks have a knack for twisting the words, but the ultimate message is 'remember the poor kids', and the sarcastic lyric about Santa getting mugged is absolutely wonderful, and will be remembered for many a year at this time.
  • Greg from Salem, OrGreat song. Frenetic drums and guitar riff, and hilarious as well. But in the end, as it says, it's really about "remember the kids who got nothin', as you're drinking down your wine."
  • Randy from Colerain Twp., OhGreg Lake does a song called "Father Christmas"- I wonder if this is the same song?
  • Ben from Reading, PaThis song is in the newly released movie, "Unacompied Minors"
  • Greg from Alsip, IlI always liked the fact that it's the ONLY Christmas song in which violence towards Santa is even suggested.
  • Eddie from Acton, MeThis is the first Christmas song I listen to as soon as the holiday season hits. Steve Austin outfit, indeed.
  • Alejandro from Raleigh, NcThat's true. I also think that the line about the job and the machine gun is supposed to be what the kids who are mugging the guy are asking him and not Father Christmas himself.
  • Johnny from Los Angeles, CaThis is my favorite Christmas song, but I think it has a more of "Remember the poor kids on Christmas" meaning as opposed to the actual storyline.
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