
The Kelly Song Collective
Merry X-Mas Holy Christ
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The church bells are all ringing.
My hands and ears are stinging.
There’s the midnight singing.
Merry X-mas, holy Christ.
Santa makes his rounds now.
I’m inches from the hounds now.
The only living sounds now
are little children’s dreams.
I’m no half-assed bawler.
I wish I had a dollar
for every time I holler
‘Brother, can you spare a dime?’
Today, I couldn’t borrow
much against my sorrow.
Another day’s tomorrow.
Next week’s another year.
My days are getting fewer.
It’s warm above the sewer.
Although I hardly knew her,
she stopped and said hello.
That green-eyed girl could smile
and make me laugh a while.
She ran a quarter mile
when I tried to kiss her lips.
Nothing left for a chorus.
I wouldn’t want to bore us.
Maybe you could score us
a cheaper jug of wine.
I’ll drink it to remember
a gentler, kind December
that’s just a sighing ember
in ashes that forget.
Every tavern’s barred me.
Every face has scarred me.
The old Salvation Army
Tries to feed me Christ.
I hear the carols mocking
my holey, empty stocking.
It would be quite shocking
if I pissed on their parade.
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© Audsongs 2014

John, from the Song A Week project in 2014. A gospel song.