ADD:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)

Subject: Lyr Req: Dysfunctional Christmas
From: GUEST,AOGutierrez
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 12:01 PM

Every year about this time I hear a song that starts with the lyrics"Ma got drunk and Pa got drunk, at our Christmas Party" and ends with everybody singing "Felice Navidad" with Sister Susie' new boyfriend "...he was a Mexican". Does anyone know the title, author and availabilty of this touching holiday ditty?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dysfunctional Christmas
From:
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 09:25 PM

Yes, I've heard it several times over the past 5 years. Songwriter and performer: I think steve earl. Also there's a version out there by a female vocalist. I played this for a class of 10th graders 5 years ago. They loved it! There's an audience participation version with the crowd singing the chorus, full throttle. I'm looking for better verification of song title and artist from the specialists who haunt this website on a regular basis. That's not me!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dysfunctional Christmas
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 11:35 PM

Well... it is NOT Steve Earle's "Christmas in Washington" since the Kazaa download reveals that Mr. Earle's little tune with a depressing country tone is a liberals view about D.C. and politicians.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dysfunctional Christmas
From: open mike
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 12:57 AM

is it the one where someone gets
sent to the store to get
a six pack and some tampax??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dysfunctional Christmas
From: Chris C
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 09:09 AM

It's called "Happy Christmas From the Family",
or "Merry Christmas From the Family".
The version I've heard is by a female singer, and yes, it is hilarious.
Happy Holidays.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dysfunctional Christmas
From: Chris C
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 08:27 PM

Just had a bit of time to look this up:
It's in the DT. (w/ chords)
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAMILY
(Robert Earl Keen Jr)
-CC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dysfunctional Christmas
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 16 Dec 02 - 01:00 PM

The Dixie Chicks have also recorded this although Robert Earl Keen, Jr. is the writer and did the original. A person can acquire a taste for Robert Earl Keen if you give yourself time.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Merry Christmas from the Family (R E
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 05:33 PM

This song, which is one of my Christmas favorites, made it into the Digital Tradition. You'll find a Robert Earl Keen YouTube video here. I learned the song from a woman, so I always think women sing it better, like in this one (click). Come to think of it, though, I'm partial to this version by Montgomery Gentry.

Feliz Navidad, hey?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: open mike
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 08:17 PM

do you leave the egg shells in the egg nog at your house??!!

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 10:06 PM

Robert Earl Keen was on my weekly old NPR radio show -- the Flea Market. Larry Rand and I were alternating hosts--live from the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. 1984 it was--or thereabouts. One of his songs really blew me away on that show. If I paraphrase it, it'll be a lame facsimile--so I won't. The two main people in it were named Sonny and Cher---but despite that, it was a great song about their lawless escapades. Willy Nelson & Johnny Cash and someone else had a big hit of it---and that really made Keen's early reputation---and added to his wealth to boot.
If anyone knows the song's title, please post it here.

Just an aside comment.
Art

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 10:39 PM

Sonny and Sherry. The Road Goes on Forever and the party never ends.
Merry Christmas, Art.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 10:53 PM

Yep, That's it.
Thanks Phil.
Art

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 10:54 PM

I first recall hearing Merry Christmas From the Family years ago as part of a live, in-studio performance that Robert Earl did on Abby Goldstein's radio show on KERA. If my imperfect memory can be trusted (doubtful) he had never recorded the song because for fear it would upset mama if she heard it. As you might guess the in-studio version kept getting replayed and requested, and I guess mama was okay with the song because eventually the it turned up on one of Robert Earl's albums.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen,
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 12:30 AM

Hasn't Keen done a number of irreverently funny songs? If his mom gets upset by this one, she could be one who is continuously upset.
I had a mom like that....

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 12:56 AM

Robert Earl can be a pretty funny guy. You might try searching YouTube for various versions of The Front Porch Song, which he wrote with Lyle Lovett, just too listen to various versions of the monologue in the middle of the song. Some other funny ones in a regional humor kind of way are Everclear (about homemade whiskey), Copehagen (about snuff), and Five Pound Bass.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 01:19 AM

Mr. Keen was hilarious off the top of his head when he was on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me as the celeb. guest.

And I don't mean "Mr. Keen--Tracer Of Lost Persons"

Does anyone remember that old detective radio program?

Art

Subject: RE: Req:Merry Christmas from the Family (R E Keen, Jr)
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 02:13 PM

Art, Mr. Keen-Tracer of Lost Persons was a part of my families regular listening routine when I was a tad in Virginia and made a deep impression as did "I Love A Mystery" and Gabriel Heater with the news. What a voice.

Robert Earl Keen has a sequel to Merry Christmas called "Happy Holidays Y'all". While I do find it amusing and worth a listen or two or more, "Merry Christmas" is my favorite of the two. A similar type of piece called "Oklahoma Christmas" surface a year or two ago by Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison. I think Robert Earl Keen has started something. I am also partial to Keen's song "Shades of Grey".

Subject: ADD:Merry Christmas from the Family (RE Keen, Jr)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Dec 20 - 07:07 PM

Needs cleanup. Just the one word, "Holy" night (oh, and the soda pops are plural), and I like a copy of the lyrics without chords.


MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAMILY
(Robert Earl Keen Jr)

Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk
At our Christmas party
We were drinkin' champagne punch
And homemade eggnog
Little sister brought her new boyfriend
He was a Mexican
We didn't know what to think of him
'Til he sang Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad

Brother Ken brought his kids with him
The three from his first wife Lynn
And the two identical twins
From his second wife MaryNell
Of course he brought his new wife Kaye
Who talks all about AA
Chain smokin' while the stereo plays
Noel, Noel, The first Noel

CHORUS:
Carve the turkey turn the ball game on
Mix Margaritas when the eggnog's gone
Send somebody to the Quik-Pak store
We need some ice and an extension cord
A can of bean dip and some Diet Rites
A box of tampons and some Marlboro Lights
Hallelujah everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the family

Fran and Rita drove from Harlingen
I can't remember how I'm kin to them
But when they tried to plug their motorhome in
They blew our Christmas lights
Cousin David knew just what went wrong
So we all waited on our front lawn
He threw the breaker and the lights came on
And we sang Silent Night
Oh Holy Night

CHORUS:
Carve the turkey turn the ballgame on
Make Bloody Marys cause we all want one
Send somebody to the Stop 'n Go
We need some celery and a can of fake snow
A bag of lemons and some Diet Sprites
A box of tampons and some Salem Lights
Hallelujah everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the family

Feliz Navidad.

@Xmas @seasonal @humor
filename[ XMASFMLY
JRO JR
Oct01

Transcribed from this Robert Earl Keen recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTOxHOcicqA

And a very nice live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqN483jm6JE

Dixie Chicks (this one is really fun): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EHbPk8awHk