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A Bluer State of Christmas

by Various Artists

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1.
Hey Charley I'm pregnant Living on 9th Street Right above a dirty bookstore Off Euclid Avenue I stopped taking dope And I quit drinking whiskey And my old man plays the trombone And works out at the track He says that he loves me Even though its not his baby He says that he'll raise him up Like he would his own son He gave me a ring That was worn by his mother And he takes me out dancin' Every Saturday night Hey Charley I think about you Every time I pass a fillin' station On account of all the grease You used to wear in your hair I still have that record Of Little Anthony and The Imperials But someone stole my record player How do ya like that? Hey Charley I almost went crazy After Mario got busted I went back to Omaha To live with my folks Everyone I used to know Was either dead or in prison So I came back to Minneapolis This time I think I'm gonna stay Hey Charley I think I'm happy For the first time since my accident I wish I had all the money That we used to spend on dope I'd buy me a used car lot And I wouldn't sell any of 'em I'd just drive a different car every day Dependin' on how I feel Hey Charley, for chrissakes Do you want to know the truth of it? I don't have a husband He don't play the trombone I need to borrow money To pay this lawyer And Charley, hey I'll be eligible for parole Come Valentine's Day
2.
Cause I lost my job two weeks before Christmas And I talked to Jesus at the sewer And the Pope said it was none of his God-damned business While the rain drank champagne My Estonian Archangel came and got me wasted Cause the sweetest kiss I ever got is the one I've never tasted Oh but they'll take their bonus pay to Molly McDonald, Neon ladies, beauty is that which obeys, is bought or borrowed Cause my heart's become a crooked hotel full of rumours But it's I who pays the rent for these fingered-face out-of-tuners And I make 16 solid half hour friendships every evening Cause your queen of hearts who is half a stone And likes to laugh alone is always threatening you with leaving Oh but they play those token games on Willy Thompson And give a medal to replace the son of Mrs. Annie Johnson Cause they told me everybody's got to pay their dues And I explained that I had overpaid them So overdued I went to the company store And the clerk there said that they had just been invaded So I set sail in a teardrop and escaped beneath the doorsill Cause the smell of her perfume echoes in my head still Cause I see my people trying to drown the sun In weekends of whiskey sours Cause how many times can you wake up in this comic book and plant flowers? Cause I lost my job two weeks before Christmas
3.
Hooray Jake, hooray John Breakin’ up Christmas all night long Santa Claus come, done and gone Breaking up Christmas right straight along Don’t you remember a long time ago The old folks danced the doesey-doe
4.
Please daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas I don't want to see my mamma cry Please daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas I don't want to see my mamma cry Just last year when I was only seven Now I'm almost eight as you can see You came home a quarter past eleven And fell down underneath our Christmas tree Please daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas I don't want to see my mamma cry Please daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas I don't want to see my mamma cry Mamma smiled and looked outside the window She told me, "Son, you better go upstairs" Then you laughed and hollered "Merry Christmas" I turned around and saw my mamma's tears Please daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas I don't want to see my mamma cry Please daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas I don't want to see my mamma cry No, I don't want to see my mamma cry
5.
If we make it through December Everything's gonna be all right, I know It's the coldest time of winter And I shiver when I see the falling snow If we make it through December Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime Maybe even California If we make it through December, we'll be fine Got laid off down at the factory And their timing's not the greatest in the world Heaven knows I been working hard Wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl I don't mean to hate December It's meant to be the happy time of year And my little girl don't understand Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here If we make it through December Everything's gonna be all right, I know It's the coldest time of winter And I shiver when I see the falling snow If we make it through December Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime Maybe even California If we make it through December, we'll be fine
6.
On the day The Rapture came I woke up lonely in my bed To the drumming of the rain on the roof above my head On her pillow was a note that said all she had to say It said, “I loved you as I could, but not enough to stay.” I should not have married a Christian woman Who’d leave me all alone I should not have married a Christian woman Who wouldn’t take me home with her On that day And the TV set still worked, cause the Devil likes the shows I watch The milk had all gone bad, so I poured myself a glass of scotch There were earthquakes in Japan, a hurricane somewhere down south Fire, floods, and fury, there was smoke inside my mouth I should not have married a Christian woman Better than I am I should not have married a Christian woman Who’d leave me with the Damned On that day So I went down to Charlie’s bar, where I spend my share of time The regulars had all stuck around and the jukebox still just cost a dime I grabbed a rack and cue, but nobody would play They said, “Boy, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you know we’ve all gotta settle up our tabs today?” Don’t you marry a Christian woman She’ll leave you when your bills are due Don’t you marry a Christian woman She’ll leave you sobered up and blue On that day And the church was fit to bursting with sinners were in the pews Some were drunk, all were thirsting for a little late Good News But the preacher’d been forsaking and he was screaming at Jesus Cause his good woman was taken, and he was left with us He should not have married a Christian woman (Who’d) leave his ass behind He should not have married a Christian woman Who’d run away with mine On that day And I hope that they’re happy, wherever they may be And I’m sure they love each other more than either one loved him or me Don’t you marry a Christian woman If you ain’t gonna treat her right Don’t you marry a Christian woman She’ll leave you in the night
7.
Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside Now mark what followed and what did betide For it bein' on Christmas mornin' Now, for recreation, we went on a tramp And we met sergeant Napper and corporal Vamp And a little wee drummer intending to camp For the day bein' pleasant and charmin' "Good morning, good morning, " the sergeant he cried "And the same to you, gentlemen, " we did reply Intending no harm but meant to pass by For it bein' on Christmas mornin' "But, " says he, "My fine fellows, if you will enlist Ten guineas in gold I'll stick to your fist And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust And drink the king's health in the morning "For a soldier, he leads a very fine life And he always is blessed with a charming young wife And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife And he always lives pleasant and charmin' And a soldier, he always is decent and clean In the finest of clothing he's constantly seen While other poor fellows go dirty and mean And sup on thin gruel in the morning" "But, " says Arthur, "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes For you've only the lend of them, as I suppose But you dare not change them one night, for you know If you do, you'll be flogged in the morning And although that we're single and free We take great delight in our own company We have no desire strange places to see Although that your offers are charming "And we have no desire to take your advance All hazards and dangers we barter on chance For you'd have no scruples for to send us to France Where we would get shot without warning" "Oh no, " says the sergeant, "I'll have no such chat And neither will I take it from snappy young brats For if you insult me with one other word I'll cut off your heads in the morning" And Arthur and I, we soon drew our hogs We scarce gave them time to draw their own blades When a trusty shillelagh came over their head And bid them take that as fair warning And their old rusty rapiers that hung by their sides We flung them as far as we could in the tide "Now take them up, devils!" cried Arthur McBride "And temper their edge in the mornin'!" And the little wee drummer, we flattened his bow And we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow Threw it in the tide for to rock and to roll And bade it a tedious returning And we havin' no money, paid them off in cracks We paid no respect to their two bloody backs And we lathered them there like a pair of wet sacks And left them for dead in the morning And so, to conclude and to finish disputes We obligingly asked if they wanted recruits For we were the lads who would give them hard clouts And bid them look sharp in the mornin' Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside Now mark what followed and what did betide For it bein' on Christmas mornin'
8.
Ain't it hard when you wake up in the morning And you find out that those other days are gone? All you have is memories of happiness Lingerin' on. All your dreams and your lovers won't protect you, They're only passing through you in the end. They'll leave you stripped of all that they can get to, And wait for you to come back again.. Yet still a light is shining From that lamp on down the hall. Maybe the star of Bethlehem Wasn't a star at all.
9.
The tinsel is sagging Which somehow looks just right I'll grab you some menus There's no specials on this special night The booths are empty Which is how I feel inside How's the turkey dinner? I don't know, I guess it's fine It's Christmas at the IHOP And I'm at the end of my rope It's Christmas at the IHOP I'm only one / E away / from I hope Table for one Sit any place you want Can I top you off hon? You look like you could use some warming up It's Christmas at the IHOP Looks like you're at the end of your rope It's Christmas at the IHOP You're only one / E away / from I hope I dream, I try, I rise, I drop I need, I want, I hope, IHOP When's your shift end? I'm afraid I'm going to be here forever Baby it's Christmas We may as well be lonely together It's Christmas at the IHOP And we're all at the end of our ropes It's Christmas at the IHOP We're only one / E away / from I hope
10.
Christmas time is here Happiness and cheer Fun for all that children call Their favorite time of the year Snowflakes in the air Carols everywhere Olden times and ancient rhymes Of love and dreams to share Sleigh bells in the air Beauty everywhere Yuletide by the fireside And joyful memories there Christmas time is here We'll be drawing near Oh, that we could always see Such spirit through the year Oh, that we could always see Such spirit through the year
11.
Friends this is a true story that happened in the hills of western North Carolina in the year 1928. This tragedy occured near the little town of Danburry in Stokes county in the state of North Carolina. It's absolutely true. This man murdered his family, his wife, and himself. His name was Charlie Lawson, and this song is entitled, "The Story of the Lawson Family." It was long last Christmas evening The snow was on the ground At his home in North Carolina The murderer, he was found His name was Charlie Lawson And he had a loving wife But they never knew what caused him To take his family's life They say he killed his wife at first While the little one did cry Please papa won't you spare us How it is so hard to die But the raging man could not be stopped He would not heed their call He kept on firing fatal shots And there he killed them off They say he killed his wife at first While the little ones did cry Please papa won't you spare us How it is so hard to die They did not carry him to jail No lawyers would be paid They'll have his trial in another land On the final judgement day They all were all buried in a crowded grave While the angels watched from above Come home, come home my little ones To the land of peace and God And... farewell ... I'll see you there no more But when we meet in another land Our trouble will be gone
12.
Angel eyes, angel eyes The ways of the world are feeble Don't give up on simple people. Angel eyes, stardust night The blues you can live without It's not what you song's about. Angel eyes angel eyes Tell me what would we do Without the light from angel eyes. You can move the hearts of men Just with a phrase you're turning Since hearts everlasting burning Burn with me, burn so long Thin lines you've been living on Are so close to the danger zone. Angel eyes, angel eyes Tell me what would we do Without the light from angel eyes
13.
We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain Gold I bring to crown Him again King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign Frankincense to offer have I Incense owns a Deity nigh Prayer and praising, all men raising Worship Him GodMost High Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying Sealed in the stone cold tomb Refrain Glorious now behold Him arise King and God and sacrifice Alleluia!, Alleluia! Peals through the Earth and skies
14.
15.
Christmas time will soon be over Christmas time will soon be over Christmas time will soon be over Then we'll join the band Get up gals, let's go to the river Get up gals, let's go to the river Get up gals, let's go to the river Then we'll join the band Get up gals, don't be bitter Get up gals, don't be bitter Get up gals, don't be bitter Then we'll join the band
16.
Will Santa’s sleigh ride o’er the Gaza Strip? Or will the blockade force him to skip all those children? Will he bring food to those starving in Yemen, or did they choose the wrong sect of religion? In America there’s a strong force of hate; In mosque, synagogue, school or church you’re not safe. Christmas in Palestine Christmas in Yemen America turns its back on starving children There are some who want this to be a Christian nation, but violence is really our one true religion. Jesus has decided to return at last; he’s marching northward in a caravan. Escaping the terror that we’ve supported Maybe he’ll be gunned down at the border. The second coming of your lord and savior, but your bible tells you to shoot thy neighbor. Chorus Injustice abroad, but there’s just as much here The gap between rich and poor grows every year As I wolf down another piece of warm pie on Christmas Day I think of Palestine. Santa, Jesus, Allah, Hashem, Mohammed If anyone’s listening help us we need it.
17.
Frosty the Snowman Was a jolly happy soul With a corncob pipe and a button nose And his eyes made out of coal Frosty the Snowman Made the children laugh and play And were they surprised when Before their eyes He came to life that day There must have been some magic In that old silk hat they found For when they placed it on his head He began to dance around Frosty the Snowman Was alive as he could be And the children say He could laugh and play Just the same as you and me Frosty the Snowman Knew the sun was hot that day So he said let's run And we'll have fun Now before I melt away So down to the village With a broomstick in his hand Running here and there all around the square Saying catch me if you can He led them down the streets of town Right to the traffic cop And he only paused a moment when He heard him holler stop Frosty the Snowman Had to hurry on his way But he waved goodbye Saying don't you cry I'll be back again some day Thumpety thump thump Thumpety thump thump Look at Frosty go Thumpety thump thump Thumpety thump thump Over the hills of snow
18.
Out of all the reindeers you know you're the mastermind Run, run Rudolph, Randalph ain't too far behind Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down Run, run Rudolph 'cause I'm reelin' like a merry-go-round Said Santa to a boy child what have you been longing for? All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down Run, run Rudolph, reeling like a merry-go-round Said Santa to a girl child what would please you most to get? A little baby doll that can cry, sleep, drink and wet And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a Saber jet Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down Run, run Rudolph 'cause I'm reelin' like a merry-go-round
19.
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born Christ the Savior is born Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus Lord, at Thy birth Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

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released December 10, 2018

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Hoover Dam Collective New York

The Hoover Dam Collective is a group of young artists based in Brooklyn, NY, who are particularly interested in making work that crosses the boundaries of traditional art disciplines. The Collective was founded in 2009 at SUNY Purchase College. The HDC produces performances in and around New York City, which feature collaboration between music, dance, film, theater, comedy, and visual art. ... more

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