The Christmas decorations (a local wit calls them the “holy pretzels”) in my town have been lit, now that Thanksgiving has passed. And, holiday music is filtering through every speaker, everywhere. It sets off a negative vibe with me… for a while. I usually get over it and don the appropriate Christmas spirit. Usually, I’m able to fire off a salvo of dissatisfaction, though, and true to my tradition, here is my contribution for this season:
Bebo Norman performed Jackson Browne’s alternative Christmas carol on a 2017 recording. It’s got a little different slant.
Browne joined the Chieftains on their holiday album The Bells of Dublin to sing the carol, as well. It was a welcome rediscovery for me.
We guard our world with locks and guns,
And we guard our fine possessions.
And, once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations.
And, perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us.
But, if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor,
They get the same as the rebel Jesus.
There's more than one way to real 