Gosh, is it #ThreeTuneTuesday again already?
This is a song about not having any money, the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer and not being able to count on the weather -- and finding joy in life despite it all.
I really like the Otley Ukulele Orchestra, and they bring a little festive cheer to the number, which seems to me from the original lyrics to be more of a complaint about -- ahem -- noisy neighbours than a Christmas romp with Santa's little helpers, but what do I know?
This version sung by 1920s crooner Billy Jones would seem to agree with me -- the lyrics read:
There's nothing surer -- the rich get rich
and the poor get children
Times are bum and getting bummer -- still we have fun!
But if you want to make a cultural connection between Yuletide and getting it on in a manner that goes a bit further than a kiss under the mistletoe, look no further than China, where Christmas Eve is seen as the most romantic night of the year for young couples to lose their virginity. A far cry from that unfortunate night at the office Christmas party... (You know who you are.)
And on that note, I shall play you out with my own version of the same tune, played in a recent jam session with jazz pianist Marco Marconi.
Have fun!
