The Mariachi group Un Grupo de Mexicali performs a song about the
Mexican tradition of Las Posadas where people walk every night between
Dec. 16th and ending Dec. 24th and knock on doors for others to invite
them in and offer refreshment. It is in imitation of Joseph and Mary's
walking through the streets of Bethlehem to find lodgings. That is in
fact what the title of the song translates to in English, 'Lodgings'.
The final night, Christmas Eve, is an evening of celebration and
traditional foods like tamales and punch along with piñatas in the shape
of stars.
En la noche oscura Un canto va Con velas y rezos En cada hogar Puertas se cierran Pero hay un lugar
¿Quién llama afuera? ¿Quién quiere entrar? Es José y María buscando un hogar
Estrella de luz Guía el caminar En Las Posadas Se siente el amar Piñatas que caen Risas al volar Y en Nochebuena Todo es celebrar
Los niños cantando Villancicos van Rompiendo silencios Uniendo el pan El aroma a ponche El fuego en paz
El patio se llena La fe a brillar Somos peregrinos buscando lugar
Estrella de luz Guía el caminar En Las Posadas Se siente el amar Piñatas que caen Risas al volar Y en Nochebuena Todo es celebrar
In the darkness A cry is heard Candles and reverence But every place Doors are closing Is there is a place? Who is knocking outside? Who wants to come in? It's Joseph and Mary looking for shelter within
Star of light Guide our way In Las Posadas Love will stay Piñatas falling Laughter rising And on Christmas Eve A celebration uprising
There's no doubt about it, the artists here at Big And Tall Records are sending us some different songs for Christmas. And this new one by Gummer Beaudine fits right in with her catalog. She's never been one to mince her words in any song she's sent us, and this one is no exception. The Elf On The Shelf! is about her dislike for the 21st Century Christmas tradition, in no uncertain terms.
The Elf On The Shelf started out as a family tradition with Carol Aeborsold's family when she was a little girl, and was extended to her own family when she had children of her own. She wrote a book about it in 2005 along with her author daughter, and another daughter joined the other two with her knowledge of marketing and they began going to book signings and trade fairs. The book included an Elf doll as well as instructions to carry on the tradition. Essentially, the elf on the shelf watches children, and when the children are asleep, the elf reports back to the North Pole and tells Santa how the children behaved; whether naughty or nice. It returns every morning before the children wake up and assumes a different place than before. This goes on until Christmas Eve, when the elf's mission is complete and he disappears back to the North Pole until next year. Children are not allowed to touch the elf, can tell it their Christmas wishes.
The book slowly gained in popularity until in 2013 it hit the No. 1 spot on USA Today's bestseller list. There has been opinions by professional children's counselors that condemn the book as just a market ploy to make money at the expense of creating childhood anxiety at Christmas time, while other have enjoyed the book and tradition with their family. By 2023, the book was earning $100,000 million annually, and have made the three that wrote and marketed it multi millionaires. The three women went on to create their own publishing firm and grown the book into a global phenomenon.
After listening to Gummer's lyrics, it's obvious what side she's on! But all it takes is something people can latch on to that they think is good! Whether you think the idea is cute, or like Gummer, stupid, it's hard to argue with success! By the way, we were kind of at a loss as to what picture to use for a heading for this post, so we asked Ms Beaudine if she had a preference. She sent us the picture at the top of this post!
Ev'ry Christmas, I travel around To each one of my kids own place Like to see all my Grandkids Giggly, with smiles on their face
The decorations are pretty They make me smile to myself But one thing gets my dander up... IF I SEE THE ELF ON THE SHELF!
Who in hell thought up that dumb thing? Ain't nothin' but a Santa snitch! They report back, Any and all lack Of kids bein’ good, what a bitch!
Some woman started it all With their family tradition And wrote it all in a book With detailed instructions
Tell the elf yer Christmas wishes And then when the kids dreamin' deep He flies back to the North Pole Rats out the kids while fast asleep
Tells Santa all the naughty stuff The kids did all through the day So Santa can punish them all Not git what they want Christmas Day!
Who in hell thought up that dumb thing? Ain't nothin' but a Santa snitch! They report back, Any and all lack Of kids bein’ good, what a bitch!
Why not turn yer own tradition Into a money-makin' farce? Use it to control yer kids My patience fer it is sparse!
The book tells ya to name the elf Each day put him a different place I'd call the shit-head rat asshole! Throw him down and stomp on his face!
I know where I'd put the butt hole Chuck him in a burnin' fire place Tell all of 'em responsible That's the end of this sorry case!
Who in hell thought up that dumb thing? Ain't nothin' but Santa’s bitch! They done it to make big money People thought it up sure got rich!
Don't control yer kids with a dumb idea! They got 'enough worries of their own Without addin' this nonsense to it! Teach yer kids the right way! By what ya do, as much as what you say! Don't depend on a goddam expensive, cheaply made Elf doll!
We at Big And Tall Records seldom make two consecutive releases by an artist. We like to have variety in our releases, and usually put some space between artist's recordings, but after we listened to this song by Betty Miranga, it seemed like a good idea. It is different for a Christmas song as it addresses one persons sadness at Christmas time. Seasonal depression is a real thing for many people. Attribute it to loneliness, sadness at loved ones who are gone, disappointment that the holiday doesn't meet expectations, or just a souring of the mood by so much commercialism, it can happen. We can intellectually know that the season is what you make of it, but emotionally it can be hard to overcome the feelings of sadness and disappointment.
According to her lyrics, she was able to rationally come to terms with her feelings and change her feelings to ones of happiness. Might sound easy to do, but we know it surely isn't. Betty must be a very strong willed person to overcome seasonal depression by herself, and kudos to her for that. But there are some folks who can't do it alone. A trusting friend to talk to can help, but for others professional help may be needed. And that's not something to be ashamed of. Depression is a mental illness, and like any other illness a patient can't overcome by themselves, professional help is available. Even in this modern age, a stigma remains attached to getting help for mental health, which is regrettable. No one need suffer without trying to get help to get better.
It could be something more than the Christmas blues; it could be Seasonal Affective Disorder, known by the acronym SAD, which can be caused by the shortness of days in fall and winter. This can also happen in summer for the opposite reasons. That's a short explanation of something that is very real and more complicated, which can be treated as simply as using a sun lamp in the winter to make up for the lost sun time. Medications as well as physical exercise can also help. Check with your medical service provider for more information.
Snow is a flyin’ Christmas Eve I’m feelin’ good, givin’ thanks For all the blessin’s in my life Finally filled in all the blanks
Used to get down in the dumps At the holiday time of year Think ‘bout all the ones that are gone And who’d be next was my big fear
Ya know, it’s all ‘bout attitude Thinkin’ the worst makes ya blind To all the good that’s happenin’ To all happiness ya kin find
Used to get down in the dumps And grumble with the risin’ sun Play the role better than Scrooge Be bad ol’ Grinch to every one
Somethin’ happened few years ago Some call it an epiphany I seen the way that I was actin’ Was drivin’ folks away from me
Used to get down in the dumps Don’t know why it took so dang long To see the error of my ways And understand what I done wrong
Now I’m at a much better place Emotionally, shed the big load Christmas is now a happy time I come to terms, got out the road
Used to get down in the dumps There's ‘nough misery on the earth Without me addin’ to it all Now I know what it’s all worth
The artist with the high voice, Betty Miranga, sent us her Christmas season song, and it's a cute one about trying to remember the names of Santa's reindeer. By the sound of her voice, it's hard to believe she's got a 4-year old Grand daughter, at least according to the lyrics! Betty still plays country music venues, stays really busy so we were surprised to see a song recording by her. But we hope she keeps them coming. She's got a unique voice perfectly suited to the style of music she sings.
I love Christmas time of the year With the Christmas trees and the gear But there’s one thing that I can’t do Remember the names of them reindeer!
Now let me see, the one in front That’s got the red whiskey nose Couldn’t play no reindeer games What’s his name, do ya suppose?
Was it Andy, or was it Burt? Was it Sammy, or was it Curt? Somethin’ like Randolph, I declare! Must be Adolph, I’ll bet my shirt!
So old Adolph with nose so bright Guides the sleigh thru the foggy night It must have been a wondrous sight Guided by a whiskey nose light!
Yeah man! That's fer shore his name!
As far as the other ones go I think I done got them figgered Here goes, I’m a gonna name them My memory just got triggered!
Adolph leads all of the herd Basher runnin' up his rear Lancer he's a pretty one He’s got Cornet bitin’ his ear! Blitzer an onry ol’ cuss Flasher wantin’ to show his stuff Dunder and Stupid go too slow So the last one is Vixer!
Naw, that ain't right!...
I love Christmas time of the year With the Christmas trees and the gear But there’s one thing that I can’t do Remember the names of them reindeer!
No I just can’t! No matter how I try! It's embarrasin'! My 4 year old Grand daughter Can name them all! Dang!
Let me try it again...
Adolph leads all of the herd Basher runnin' up his rear Lancer he's a pretty one He’s got Cornet bitin’ his ear! Blitzer an onry ol’ cuss Flasher wantin’ to show his stuff Dunder and Stupid go too slow So the last one is Vixer!
We were at first surprised when Forgotten Bob sent us his Christmas song A Rockabilly Christmas, but when were reminded he's got 8 kids, all of them grown up and babies of their own, it stands to reason Bob being the family man that he is would host a Christmas party. We can just imagine the noise, bustle, and fun of having a houseful. And when they all tune up and start jammin'...we can't imagine how that would sound. We know all of his kids are musical. Some guitarists for sure, a drummer, and a classically trained pianist! And we like the line: We're all different, ain't it true! Celebrate how it's right for you! Indeed!
All eight of our kids will be here For our Christmas celebration A really big house full for sure For our holiday libation
Some of them got their own babies They all add to the party All bring food and drink to pass So we'll eat and drink real hearty
It's a rockabilly Christmas Later we take guitars in hand And blare out some songs of good cheer With our own family band!
It all starts on Christmas Eve When they all trickle in Got our big table all set up So the feasting begins
Ham, turkey, great big beef roast All kinds of cheese and cold cuts Some wander around, yak and graze Some wanna sit on their butts!
It's a rockabilly Christmas Later we take guitars in hand And blare out some songs of good cheer With our own family band!
We love Christmas, watching TV With the kids cookies in hand Like How The Grinch stole Christmas And good ol' Frosty The Snow Man!
Might seem really strange to you Celebrate with a big to-do We're all different, ain't it true! Celebrate how it's right for you
It's a rockabilly Christmas Later we take guitars in hand And blare out some songs of good cheer With our own family band!
Merry Christmas! Huh, huh, huh Merry Christmas! How, how, how Merry Christmas! Yeah, yeah, yeah Merry Christmas Peace on earth!
It's a rockabilly Christmas Later we take guitars in hand And blare out some songs of good cheer With our own family band!
Amos Carter is the first one of our artists to submit a Christmas holiday themed song, and we find out Santa wears Airpods as he does his work leaving gifts, and boogies to the beat he's hearing in his Airpods as he goes. This is a big production for Carter, who usually plays with only his double bass, a guitar or two, and a piano. Boogie-Woogie Santa Claus was tried out in Amos' gigs, and the audience gave it a lot of applause. Amos does this with most of his songs, and this practice has given him some good songs to record, such as Slew Foot Stu Boogie.
Carter had some problems a while back getting a piano player that fit in with his small group. He kept pestering his mother, a talented pianist, to join the band. Mams Carter is a recording artist in her own right, as she's recorded for Big And Tall Records before, with The Blues Done Got Me So Bad as a good example. Mams doesn't like playing gigs all that much, but she usually plays when the group records, as she does in this recording.
We put out some feelers with our other artists, and there will most likely be more Christmas themes recording coming soon, as the season is upon us!
(Boogie woogie Santa Boogie woogie Santa)
One Christmas Eve I stayed awake To catch that jolly ol' elf As he slid down the chimney To fill stockings hung on the shelf
I was fightin' sleep really bad When out the corner of my eye A big fat guy in a red suit! Santa Claus! It's true! Ain't no lie! He had Airpods in his ears..
He was too fat for the chimney Don't know how he got in the house The way he was movin' his feet Weren't tip toeing like a mouse!
Was boogying to the tree Wigglin' and shakin' his ass The Boogie Woogie Santa Claus Was havin' himself a gas!
(Boogie woogie Santa Boogie woogie Santa)
He got in his big gunny sack Laid bunch of gifts under the tree The he saw the treats and the milk Sprawled on the couch ate the cookies
He was enjoyin' his work Laid on the couch for a while Then he jumped up with a start Wasn't gonna cramp his style
Boogying next to the tree Dancin' like he weren't a senior The Boogie Woogie Santa Claus Usin' a broom as a partner
(Boogie woogie Santa Boogie woogie Santa)
Kept watchin' through the banister He boogied his way with the broom Jivin' and shuckin' with his feet He made his way across the room
Then he got close to the door Jiggled his big butt for a while Then looked me straight in the eye And disappeared with a smile!
Visions of Santa in my head I sat up in bed full awake! The Boogie Woogie Santa Claus All a dream for heaven's sake!
(Boogie woogie Santa Boogie woogie Santa)
As we all opened our gifts On the frosty Christmas morn I told the gang about my dream What they said made me forlorn
But what could I say to all that Already knew it wasn't true And that fact was kind a sad It made me feel a little blue
Then I came to a gift for me Among Christmas paper wads Tag said it was from Santa... It was a pair of Airpods!
