This is my little sister's fault; she asked me to do a lovely happy little Christmassy song for her.   Obviously, I immediately reached for my well-thumbed copy of “Chords of misery and despair for songs in the key of Dismal diminished” - and here we are.  Hope you enjoy it Anne - sing along, pet!  :)

This uplifting little Christmas minor blues is based on the melody from a classic old standard from the ‘30’s “Skin Game Blues” by Peg Leg Howell but using a fingerstyle arrangement by Steve James from his excellent “Fingerstyle Blues Songbook”.

I can't blame anyone else but me for the lyrics.  Not even my sister.

Wishing everyone, particularly the less fortunate, a peaceful Christmas.

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

A Blues Consumptive

So, it’s time for Christmas.
Snatching up stuff that you don’t need, to hell with the desperate that do.
Give yourself a gluttony nosebleed, as you sate the materialistic in you.
You’re a trussed up seasonal clown,
Paint a grotesque smile on your frown,
Masquerade it all over town,
You’re goin’ down, down.

So, it’s time for Christmas.
Gorging conspicuous consumption by the privileged, of the frail.
Hot fashion’s mis-presumption, drags the spiritual by the tail.
Ya better get your stockpile built,
To bury your ethical guilt,
‘Cause you’re in it up to the hilt
And you’re goin’ down, down.

So, it’s time for Christmas.
Flashing Rudolph lights on your soul betray your tribal credentials.
The Christ can remain in the cold while you max your network potential.
Better get your story straight,
Soon be at the pearly gate,
Best not to leave it too late,
You’re goin’ down, down, down.

A Blues Consumptive

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