Christmas Songs

Describing it as "unique” and “unbelievably funny," the UNISONG International Songwriting Contest awarded "The Christmas Eve Shoppers" a TOP 20 FINALIST spot. A hilarious cautionary tale about last-minute holiday shopping.

Words and music by Steven Hardy

The Christmas Eve Shoppers

Performed by Marc Jordan and Lunch at Allen's, from the CD Zuzu's Petals
Written by Murray McLauchlan and Steven Hardy



Zuzu's Petals

Every Time It's Christmas

Every Time It's Christmas (Lunch at Allen's, featuring Marc Jordan)

A bluegrass take on Tom Lehrer's classic "A Christmas Carol."

Dedicated to Jake Levesque, who shared my appreciation of the songs of Tom Lehrer.

Christmas time is here, by golly,
Disapproval would be folly,
Deck the halls with hunks of holly,
Fill the cup and don't say "when."
Kill the turkeys, ducks, and chickens,
Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens,
Even though the prospect sickens,
Brother, here we go again.

On Christmas Day you can't get sore,
Your fellow man you must adore,
There's time to rob him all the more
The other three hundred and sixty-four.

Relations, sparing no expense, 'll
Send some useless old utensil,
Or a matching pen and pencil,
"Just the thing I need, how nice!"
It doesn't matter how sincere it is
Nor how heartfelt the spirit,
Sentiment will not endear it,
What's important is the price.

On Christmas Day you can't get sore,
Your fellow man you must adore,
There's time to rob him all the more
The other three hundred and sixty-four.

So let the raucous sleigh bells jingle,
Hail our dear old friend Kriss Kringle
Driving his reindeer across the sky,
Don't stand underneath when they fly by.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol (Bluegrass Version)

"If I Don’t Make It Through This Christmas" was written as part of Sounds Like Canada’s "All For a Song" series. It was premiered and recorded in front of a live audience at the Glenn Gould Studio and broadcast on the Sounds Like Canada Christmas Eve show. It was later released by CBC Records on a compilation CD called "All For a Song."

Performed by Quartette
Composed by Gwen Swick and Steven Hardy
Recorded live at CBC's Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto by Ron Skinner

Gwen Swick - Lead Vocal
Sylvia Tyson, Caitlin Hanford & Cindy Church - BG Vocals
Kevin Breit - Electric Guitar
Wendell Ferguson - Acoustic Guitar
Randy Kempf - Bass
Randall Coryell - Drums

© 2003 Gwen Swick, Steven Hardy (SOCAN) 
℗ 2003 CBC Records

All For A Song

If I Don't Make It Through This Christmas (featuring Quartette)

Written by Steven Hardy and Gwen Swick
Produced by Steven Hardy
Mastered by Aaron Murray


If I don't  make it through this Christmas
Have a drink on me,
Put all of my belongings
Under some poor family's tree,
Dress me up like Santa,
Deck me out in mistletoe,
Sing "O, Hallelujah"
And bury me in the snow.

If I don't make it through this Christmas
I won't have to pretend
That mere acquaintances
Are really dear, dear friends.
And concerning my vital organs:
I'll be happy to donate,
Sing, "O, Hallelujah"
And guide me to the Pearly Gates.

Jolly Saint Nicholas,
Time to take me off your list,
Angels we have heard on high,
Sing me one more lullaby.

If I don't make it through this Christmas
There will be those who will grieve,
But they'll be getting over it
In time for New Year's Eve,
So, crack the Champagne open,
Toast the year and me good-bye,
I'll be with Guy Lombardo's 
"Royal Canadians" in the sky.

Jolly Saint Nicholas,
Time to take me off your list,
Angels we have heard on high,
Sing me one more lullaby.

If I Don't Make It Through This Christmas

If I Don't Make It Through This Christmas (featuring Megan Schroder)

FINALIST 2022 UK Songwriting  Contest
"Love it!" -- Cassandra Wilson, Grammy Award winning recording artist
"Quite appealing" -- Downbeat Magazine
“Wow… awesome!” -- Matt Dusk, jazz singer
"Destined to become a Christmas classic" -- Tim Tamashiro, jazz singer 
"Great song!" --  Sandy Thacker, CBC Radio producer
"Sweet song" -- Sheryl MacKay, host of CBC Radio's North by Northwest
"Excellent" -- Songwriters Association of Canada 
"Wonderful song... Beautiful stuff!" -- Chuck Granata, author of the award-winning book, "Sessions with Sinatra: Frank Sinatra and the Art of Recording"

Words and music © Steven Hardy (SOCAN)

They're packing up the Santa Claus and reindeer,
Taking down the mistletoe for another year,
Everybody's thinking 'bout New Year's Eve,
But I'm still waiting for Christmas.

Look at all the lucky little girls and boys
Playing with all their new Christmas toys,
Everybody's wearing new Christmas clothes,
But I'm still waiting for Christmas.

I asked Santa for just one thing,
The only thing I wanted,
Christmas day I wanted to see
You underneath my Christmas tree.

Well, maybe Santa never got my letter,
Or maybe Santa heard I'd been naughty, whatever,
I won't be celebrating New Year's Eve,
I'm still waiting for Christmas.