Subject: Depressing Christmas From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 16 Jul 97 - 02:24 AM No joke. A friend of mine and I are thinking of getting together a Christmas CD of depressing Christmas songs, and calling it "A Suicide's Christmas". Yeah, yeah, but this is a business venture, and besides, I am a naturally melancholy man who grew up on songs of misery. Stan Roger's "First Christmas Away From Home" comes first to mind as an extremely depressing Christmas song, and indeed his own brother refuses to sing it. Although we would want to stay mostly folk or folkish I have a thought that "The Little Boy Who Santa Claus Forgot" should be done. Any suggestions? I am sure that there are any number of Christmas weepers out there of which I have never heard. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Bob Landry Date: 16 Jul 97 - 12:28 PM Tim - I appreciate the enthusiasm for Cape Breton and Newfoundland music you've shown in other threads and I get the idea that we share a lot of common interests in those areas. But I cannot stomach your idea for a Suicidal Christmas CD. It hits too close to home. I am living with a suicidal wife for who has had a tough time with the last 20 Christmases due to her inability to deal with society's and business' expectations for a big show at Christmas. It's taken a long time and a lot of effort to get her to relax, cut down the amount of work and expense and return Christmas to our home and family where it belongs. I for one will never buy that CD. Bob
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Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: CWF Date: 16 Jul 97 - 03:05 PM If bad taste were gunpowder, this idea of yours would be a weapon of mass destruction. C'mon, give us a break. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: PattyG Date: 16 Jul 97 - 03:32 PM Well, I am so warped that I did have to chuckle a bit;) Frankly, I wouldn't call it "Suicide Christmas", rather, something less somber and shocking, perhaps, "A Pensive Christmas" or "Christmas Contemplations".....something else though! The songs that come to mind are, of course, well known, such as "Blue Christmas" and there's one the Carpenters did that is sad (especially now that she's dead)....hm-m-m can't remember. Unless you want all ballads, perhaps, "Grandma Got Runover By A Reindeer"? Oh, and there's a song called "A Christmas Wish" - I have the sheet music around here somewhere - seems that it is pretty pensive. My thought here is that those who are naturally depressed at Christmastime will not buy the CD, and if someone is predisposed to depression at this time of the year, that's going to happen anyway. And that is, indeed, one of the worst times of the year for those who suffer from that horrible malady. The folks I know who live in a depressed state, and I know lots, do not purposely play that type of music, so I'm not sure that has to be an issue. I'm now curious, however, about the two songs you mentioned. Can you direct me to the lyrics? PattyG |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Kiwi Date: 16 Jul 97 - 06:58 PM I would recommend songs from Savatage's album _Dead Winter Dead_, especially "Christmas Eve, Sarajevo (12/24)" - it starts out with a beautiful string version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlement".. and goes into the only speed-thrash version of "Carol of the Bells" that I have EVER heard! The entire CD is rather depressing, it's a story of a family in Sarajevo... |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Moira Cameron, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Date: 16 Jul 97 - 08:38 PM I've thought about doing the same thing. One sone I'd definitely put on is "Christmas in the Trenches" by John McCutcheon. Another good one is Frankie Armstrong's "Anti-Carol". Good luck! |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: RS Date: 16 Jul 97 - 09:06 PM Tried to resist but I couldn't ... have to suggest the (parody) song "Christmas, Christmas is Here", done by the Canadian group The Arrogant Worms. It's an upbeat song about an old-fashioned family get-together ... that gradually deteriorates into more & more outrageous behaviour (kind of like the famous Cheers [TV show] episode with the Christmas turkey dinner food fight). You can check out their web site at: http://www.cyberus.ca/~jeffmay/worms/worms.htm (if you really want to!) |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Rick Date: 18 Jul 97 - 07:40 AM How's about Pogues Lullaby of Broadway (?) It was Christmas Eve in the drunk tank.... Rick. |
Subject: Lyr Add: FIRST CHRISTMAS (Stan Rogers) From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 18 Jul 97 - 11:43 AM Thanks for all the suggestions. I know perfectly well some people will be offended and not buy it, but it's a free country. I've never been noted to be particularly mentally stable myself, and I don't joke in saying that. I have always had a great liking for melancholy songs. Anyway, controversy sells copy. For the person who asked, I don't have the lyrics to "The Little Boy Who Santa Claus Forgot" handy, but it was a hit back in the late 40's or early 50's I believe. Here are the lyrics to "FIRST CHRISTMAS," by Stan Rogers, from "Between The Breaks Live. He apparently first did it on a live CBC Christmas broadcast of Canadian folk singers and appalled them all. He said his justification was to point out the plight of the lonely at Christmas.
This day, a year ago, he was rolling in the snow
She's standing by the train station, panhandling for change
In the apartment there stands a tree, and it looks so small and bare,
In the morning, they get prayers, and then it's crafts and tea downstairs
In the common room they've got the biggest tree |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: PattyG Date: 18 Jul 97 - 12:25 PM Hiya Tim,
Thanks for the lyrics to "First Christmas" (I think!) I have a real love/hate relstionship with Christmas and so I can identify with the varied emotions this holiday can elicit and I, too, have a propensity for somewhat melancholy music. (Although, I'm a *complete* joy to be around! |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Bert Hansell Date: 18 Jul 97 - 12:57 PM How about "Joseph Joseph" by Jake Thackray ? Bert. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: rich r Date: 18 Jul 97 - 05:57 PM Adding to the fray (or frayed), let me suggest "Detroit December" by Sy Kahn (Recorded by him and also John McCutcheon); "Hot Buttered Rum" by Tommy Thompson (recorded a couple different times by the Red Clay Ramblers); "Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Christmas" by John Denver; and of course the ver popular "Big Dead Bird" by Lou And Peter Berryman. rich r |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 18 Jul 97 - 06:07 PM My supplementary post about "First Christmas" doesn't seem to have appeared. Correction first chorus: that should be "silver star". Indeed I have always thought the song should have been called "Silver Star" but Stan Rogers has been dead since 1983 so I can't write him and suggest a change. Copyright information, always important: 1979 Fogarty's Cove Music, 23 Hillside Ave South Dundas Ontario Canada L9H 4H7 |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: PattyG Date: 18 Jul 97 - 10:03 PM Did Mr. Rogers kill himself? (had to ask) PattyG |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Bob Landry Date: 19 Jul 97 - 12:01 AM PattyG If I remember correctly, Stan Rogers was returning from a folk festival in Texas on an Air Canada flight to Toronto when some idiot decided to have a smoke in the washroom. He/she started a fire in mid-flight, the cabin filled with smoke and although the pilot made a successful emergency landing at the Cincinnatti airport, several people, including Stan Rogers, were asphyxiated to death. I saw Stan's energy during a performance at the Rebecca Cohn auditorium in Halifax and prefer to think of his song, "The Mary Ellen Carter", as representative of his respect for life.
"And you, to whom adversity has dealt the final blow Tim - I didn't mean to offend your rights to self-expression but my first post was a knee jerk reaction from my internal biases to the proposed title, not the concept. Keep up the good work with Newfie tunes - my collection keeps growing. Bob |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: PattyG Date: 19 Jul 97 - 12:47 AM How horrible. There's always an idiot somewhere - the trick is to try and not be *there*. Thanks for the background Bob. All you folks have such a wealth of knowledge and I do appreciate the sharing of it. So Tim, have you given any more thought to the title of your proposed musical venture? PattyG |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Kiwi Date: 19 Jul 97 - 08:05 PM I'd suggest "Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John" by PDQ Bach (Peter Shickele) but it's not depressing.. just amusing and a little anti-Christmas.. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Barry Finn Date: 19 Jul 97 - 08:20 PM To add about Stan , durning that fire he dragged people (Stan was a big man in more ways) out of the plane several times, and died making yet another rescue attempt. I remember reading somewhere that a seaman, who was rescued, said he was floating in the sea waiting to be rescued ,at the same time Stan died, claimed that singing The Mary Ellen Carter over & over is what helped him to hang on until his rescue. Barry |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: rich r Date: 20 Jul 97 - 08:28 PM I just stumbled on another song for the category: "25th of December" by Bonnie Koloc. Barry, I was unaware of that detail regarding Stan Rogers death, it adds poignancy to an already tragic loss. rich r |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Joe Offer Date: 21 Jul 97 - 02:59 AM One of the many things I like about this forum is that it makes me take a closer look at songs that I may have heard before, but maybe didn't pay attention to. "Harris and the Mare" is another powerful, depressing Stan Rogers song that deserves a closer look. -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: LaMarca Date: 21 Jul 97 - 02:07 PM Ray Davies, one of the DJs at our local bluegrass station WAMU, had a hit Country record in the late 60'-early 70's that was on of those voice-over recitations about Little Joe, the Orphan Boy, longing to see his Mommy (or was it Santa Claus?) at Christmas. The cruel orphanage director tells him that Santa/Mommy wouldn't be able to find him because he/she would look for him at his old home. Little Orphan Boy goes to his old house and freezes to death on Christmas night... Eddie Stubbs plays this dreadful, doleful ditty on his show occasionally, and it makes me nauseated every time. Good one for the collection, though; I'll try to find the title and record label for anyone desperate enough to request it! |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: GUEST,Maggster Date: 27 Jan 07 - 04:04 PM Well there's one song by Fall Out Boy, it's called "Yule Shoot Your Eye Out". I'm not sure if anyone will find it very depressing, but I find it to be a very sad song. I can really relate to the lyrics. Anyway good luck with the CD. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: SINSULL Date: 27 Jan 07 - 04:19 PM Mr. Hankie, the Christmas poo He loves me and I love you. Says it all. I really have grown to dislike Christmas. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Waddon Pete Date: 27 Jan 07 - 04:33 PM Hello The trouble with any Christmas song is that they are all depressing for one reason or other...depending on your point of view! Blue Christmas? Perleeze...must be one of the worst songs ever written! I stop listening to the radio stations during December! However..."I want a hippo for Christmas" has a ring to it! Best wishes, Pete |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Beer Date: 27 Jan 07 - 05:07 PM Jesus the Fugitive Prince...David Massengill Cape Breton Christmas Morn....John Gracie Silent Night All Day Long..John Prine Home From The Forest...Gordon Lightfoot Circle of Steel...Gordon Lightfoot Pretty Papers..Roy Orbison First Christmas I love to do. Breaks them up. Me to. Beer (adrien) |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 27 Jan 07 - 06:11 PM "Christmas Eve Can Kill You" by (I forget his first name) Linde, whom I believe passed away recently. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Ruth Archer Date: 27 Jan 07 - 06:27 PM God, you really want to get the CD Smothered and Covered by the Handsome Family. They are SO with you on this one. Their christmas song is one you'd love: "Christmas is the season when most folks kill themselves Christmas is the reason for all those stupid bells..." |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Beer Date: 27 Jan 07 - 06:42 PM Fairytale of New York by The Progues with Kirsty McColl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl5hRPu2_eQ |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: mack/misophist Date: 27 Jan 07 - 09:56 PM Thanks Beer. First time I've heard that one. Tom Waites with a sharper point and a keener edge. A truly nasty song. I like it. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: GUEST,van lingle Date: 28 Jan 07 - 06:58 AM "Death Might be Your Santa Claus" by Rev. J.M. Gates was a sermon recorded in the 1920's. "Merry Christmas from the Family" by Robert Earl Keen. "Christmas in Prison" by John Prine the one that goes: It was christmas in prison and the food was real good, we had turkey and pistols carved out of wood. "Fairytale of New York",mentioned above, has got to be the most uplifting downer of a christmas song I've ever heard. Johnny Cash also did a kind of weepy xmas recitation called something like I Remember Christmas. Good luck with this project and have a merry christmas... or not.vl |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: Beer Date: 28 Jan 07 - 08:10 PM Here is on I forgot. Different and sad. The Rebel Jesus by M. Iafrate (sp.) Also by Jackson Browne I think. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas From: GUEST Date: 29 Jan 07 - 08:25 PM "Hot Buttered Rum" by T. Ellis & T. Thompson: When dreary Christmas decorations Line the streets and filling stations, And dime-store Santas can't disguise Their empty hands and empty eyes, In the dead of winter, when the tinsel angels come, You're my sweet maple sugar, honey, hot buttered rum. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: GUEST,Bostsean Date: 23 Nov 07 - 12:53 PM A Fairytale of New York - Just the best Christmas (Baby Come Home) - Ronnie Spector, but I like the U2 version Blue Christmas - Elvis version is the best I'll Be Home for Christmas - This is a classic, but it's actually preety sad. The song is about a soldier who actually won't be home for christmas Christmas in the Trenches - Great song Father Christmas - The Kinks, can't believe nobody's mentioned it yet. River - Joni Mitchell, I like the k.d. lang version Hard Times - a great old song about putting a bad year behind you. Mary Black does a great version. I've been thinking about doing this a bit too. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: GUEST, Bat Goddess at work Date: 23 Nov 07 - 01:35 PM There's always "Mistletoe Bough" -- bride on Christmas/wedding night playing hide and seek (yeah, and with a houseful of guests) hides in a heavy oaken trunk -- and nobody finds her for many many years. Husband pines away not knowing what happened. Guests have their future Christmases spoiled with the sorrow and mystery. Lovely song... Linn |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: Little Robyn Date: 23 Nov 07 - 02:17 PM How about There are no lights on our Christmas tree Very sad! Robyn |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: GUEST, A well-meaning bystander Date: 23 Nov 07 - 03:17 PM I recommend you all search out "Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey" by Lou Monte. If that doesn't make you ashamed of your own species, I don't know what will. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: Micca Date: 23 Nov 07 - 03:27 PM For out and out depression try listening to "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" it would be easy to make it a real downer |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: GUEST Date: 23 Nov 07 - 03:52 PM I claim a top ten place, if not higher, with my "Without you on Christmas Day" (aka Mabel's Song). MGAS counted 60% of the audience crying 3 years ago at Miskin. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: George Papavgeris Date: 23 Nov 07 - 03:54 PM The last GUEST was me. Oh, and it got Big Mick crying too. Now, that's a sight you don't want to see too often. |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: Kenny B (inactive) Date: 23 Nov 07 - 04:13 PM This lot is very worthwhile & No 5 went down very welll three weeks ago at a session in Largoward in Fife Bah! Humbug - The Alternative Christmas Album /CD 1 The Bells! The Bells! 2 Santa Bloody Claus - Eric Bogle 3 A Christmas Carol - Tom Lehrer 4 There Are No Lights on our Christmas Tree - Cyril Tawney 5 The Man That Slits the Turkey's Throats at Christmas - Robin Laing 6 The Present - Tom Cleland 7 The Twelve Days of Christmas - Bill Barclay 8 Mary Christmas - His Worship & the Pig 9 God Bless the Birthday Boy - McCalmans 10 Christmas Comes But Once a Year - Enoch Kent 11 Christmas Morning - Louden Wainwright III 12 The Lone Shepherd - Cyril Tawney 13 We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Greentrax Choir |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 23 Nov 07 - 05:31 PM For a fresh cynical look at commercial Christmas it's hard to beat "Suddenly It's Christmas," words & music by Loudon Wainwright, III, © 1993 Snowden Music Inc. Maybe I'll revive it for this season. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE CHRISTMAS SHOES From: topical tom Date: 23 Nov 07 - 06:55 PM Lyrics: The Christmas Shoes It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously Pacing 'round like little boys do And in his hands he held a pair of shoes His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe And when it came his time to pay I couldn't believe what I heard him say Chorus: Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time You see she's been sick for quite a while And I know these shoes would make her smile And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight He counted pennies for what seemed like years Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here" He searched his pockets frantically Then he turned and he looked at me He said Mama made Christmas good at our house Though most years she just did without Tell me Sir, what am I going to do, Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out I'll never forget the look on his face when he said Mama's gonna look so great Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time You see she's been sick for quite a while And I know these shoes would make her smile And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight Bridge: I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love As he thanked me and ran out I knew that God had sent that little boy To remind me just what Christmas is all about Roll Agai |
Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS AT GROUND ZERO (Al Yankovic) From: bobad Date: 23 Nov 07 - 07:08 PM CHRISTMAS AT GROUND ZERO Weird Al Yankovic It's Christmas at ground zero There's music in the air The sleigh bells are ringing and the carolers are singing While the air raid sirens blare It's Christmas at ground zero The button has been pressed The radio just let us know That this is not a test Everywhere the atom bombs are dropping It's the end of all humanity No more time for last-minute shopping It's time to face your final destiny It's Christmas at ground zero There's panic in the crowd We can dodge debris while we trim the tree Underneath the mushroom cloud You might hear some reindeer on your rooftop Or Jack Frost on your windowsill But if someone's climbing down your chimney You better load your gun and shoot to kill It's Christmas at ground zero And if the radiation level's okay I'll go out with you and see all the new Mutations on New Year's Day It's Christmas at ground zero Just seconds left to go I'll duck and cover with my Yuletide lover Underneath the mistletoe It's Christmas at ground zero Now the missiles are on their way What a crazy fluke, we're gonna get nuked On this jolly holiday What a crazy fluke, we're gonna get nuked On this jolly holiday! |
Subject: Lyr Add: HANG MYSELF FROM THE TREE (The Vandals) From: bobad Date: 23 Nov 07 - 07:23 PM HANG MYSELF FROM THE TREE The Vandals Christmas is hell on earth, I know nothing worst then being depressed and told to be happy. The season of su-icide, I know why they died Christmas reminds me I have nothing I've got no girl there's only me no friends or family, another Christmas alone Got no food to eat, no ornaments or wreath so I'll hang myself from the tree Christmas is dark and wet, so I can't forget Christmas reminds me I have nothing this is the end of hope, I won't write a note because it would be addressed to no one I've got no girl there's only me no friends or family, another Christmas alone Got no food to eat, no ornaments or wreath so I'll hang myself from the tree Now I will say good-bye, no one will cry Christmas goes on without me My life is now complete, so I'll go to sleep Forever and ever and ever... I've got no girl there's only me no friends or family, another Christmas alone Got no food to eat, no ornaments or wreath so I'll hang myself from the tree |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: robomatic Date: 23 Nov 07 - 08:50 PM From an album that kind of already had the idea: "Twisted Christmas" a song by Wall Of Voodoo: "Gun For Christmas" "..I hate to think of the nine year olds who won't be seeing ten, Or how we went a caroling To the homes of now dead men Shouldn't have given him a gun for Christmas Shouldn't have given him a gun gun gun Shouldn't have given him a gun for Christmas C'mon daddy that was dumb dumb dumb." On a more serious note: From the erstwhile Seattle Group Uncle Bonsai: "Silent Night" |
Subject: Lyr Add: CHRISTMAS DAY (Jim White) From: number 6 Date: 23 Nov 07 - 09:05 PM Jim White's song "Christmas day" Where in the world did you come from my dear? Did some mysterious voice tell you I'd still be here? I bought this ticket to Mobile, but I been stranded all day ...p.a. said the bus broke down ten miles away from the station. So seldom a door...so seldom a key...so seldom a lock like the love between you and me. But seldom comes happiness without the pain of the devil in the details since I saw the smile on your face as I was crying in a Greyhound station on Christmas Day...in 1998. The burden of love is the fuel of bad grammar. You stutter and stammer what a bitch to convey the crux of the matter, when the words you must utter are hopelessly tangled in the memories and scars you show no one. So seldom a door...so seldom a key...so seldom a hit like the hurt you put on me. But seldom comes happiness without the pain of the devil in the details since I saw the smile on your face as I was crying in a Greyhound station on Christmas Day...in 1998. I remember quite clearly, a bad Muzak version of James Taylor's big hit, called "Fire and Rain" was playing as you crouched down and tearfully kissed me, and I thought, "Damn, what good fiction I will mold from this terrible pain." So seldom a door...so seldom a key...so seldom a gift like the gift you gave me. But seldom comes happiness without the pain of the devil in the details since I saw the smile on your face as I was crying in a Greyhound station on Christmas Day...in 1998. Amazing grace, how sweet the smile upon the face I never thought I'd see you again ...especially here in this Greyhound station...on Christmas Day...in 1998 ...biLL |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: Mysha Date: 23 Nov 07 - 10:34 PM Hi, Waddon Pete: The trouble with any Christmas song is that they are all depressing for one reason or other...depending on your point of view! Yep. Can you think of anything more depressing than the song in this thread: Funny Christmas Song? Mysha |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: john f weldon Date: 23 Nov 07 - 11:53 PM I hereby claim to have written the world's most depressing Christmas song... http://www.weldonalley.ca/songs/ChristmasCroaker.mp3 |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: eddie1 Date: 24 Nov 07 - 03:18 AM Excellent John! Eddie |
Subject: RE: Depressing Christmas Songs From: Kara Date: 24 Nov 07 - 04:09 AM Codeine depressing at anytime of year but especially so at Christmas |
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