Father Christmas
Kinks Lyrics
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Though I knew it was my dad
And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
Open my presents and I'd be glad
But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
They said
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
We don't want a jigsaw or monopoly money
We only want the real mccoy
Father Christmas, give us some money
We'll beat you up if you make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
He's got lots of mouths to feed
But if you've got one I'll have a machine gun
So I can scare all the kids on the street
Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine
Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
Father Christmas, please hand it over
We'll beat you up so don't make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
The Kinks' song "Father Christmas" presents a different take on the traditional figure of the jolly old man in a red suit. In the song, the singer reflects on his childhood memories of Christmas and how he believed in Santa Claus even though he knew it was his dad who would leave presents in his stocking. However, as he got older, he took on the role of Father Christmas himself and was mugged by a group of kids who demanded money instead of toys. This experience leads him to question the Santa Claus mythology and the notion of charity during the season.
The song critiques the commercialization of Christmas and the focus on material possessions rather than the spirit of giving. The lines "Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit/ Don't give my sister a cuddly toy" and "We only want the real mccoy" reflect how children can be influenced by advertising and peer pressure to want the latest and most expensive toys. The demand for money also highlights how poverty is a harsh reality for many families during the holiday season.
The plea for Father Christmas to give the singer's father a job is an additional layer of social commentary. It reveals how unemployment and financial hardship were widespread issues in the UK during the time the song was written. The final message of the song is one of compassion for those less fortunate, as the singer reminds listeners to "remember the kids who got nothin' while you're drinkin' down your wine."
Line by Line Meaning
When I was small I believed in Santa Claus
As a child, I had faith in the existence of Santa Claus.
Though I knew it was my dad
Deep down, I was aware that it was actually my father portraying Santa.
And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
Open my presents and I'd be glad
During the holiday season, I would hang my stocking and unwrap my gifts with happiness.
But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor
When I last portrayed Santa Claus, I was outside a store when I was attacked and my reindeer prop was harmed.
They said
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
The children demanded money from me instead of toys, and threatened me with violence if I didn't comply, even suggesting that I only provided gifts for wealthy kids.
Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
We don't want a jigsaw or monopoly money
We only want the real mccoy
They listed examples of what they did not want as presents, and insisted they only wanted high-quality gifts.
But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
He's got lots of mouths to feed
But if you've got one I'll have a machine gun
So I can scare all the kids on the street
One of the children begged for me to find their father a job, stating that they have many family members to support. However, another child threatened to use a machine gun against other children if given the chance.
Father Christmas, give us some money
We'll beat you up if you make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
The children continued to threaten me for money and warned me not to give them childish gifts.
Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine
The song concludes with a reminder to have a good holiday season, but also to remember those who may not be as fortunate.
Lyrics ÂĐ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAY DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nathan McKenna
Father Christmas
The Kinks
LYRICS
When I was small I believed in Santa Claus
Though I knew it was my dad
And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
Open my presents and I'd be glad
But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor
They said
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
We don't want a jigsaw or monopoly money
We only want the real mccoy
Father Christmas, give us some money
We'll beat you up if you make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
He's got lots of mouths to feed
But if you've got one I'll have a machine gun
So I can scare all the kids on the street
Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine
Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
Father Christmas, please hand it over
We'll beat you up so don't make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
solidsnakeisme
The greatest Christmas song ever. Not only is it punk but it's actually got a really nice meaning behind it.
MrGoldenthroat
I agree! Little Saint Nick by The Beach Boys is another great Christmas song!
Noah 2606
it's the second best for me behind making Christmas from Nightmare before Christmas
Duke Craig
Problem with that is The Kinks were too good to be considered Punk, they all knew how to play their instruments.
Nick Hill
@Duke Craig
Wow somehow I forgot this song and it just popped up on my recommendations.
I'm glad it did and you're absolutely right.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Duke Craig
@Nick Hill
Merry Christmas there St. Nickð ð ð
Miles Archer
My 12 year old son's favourite Christmas song. I am so lucky to have a son with such great taste in music ð
fernmann7
You can take credit
A Montgomery
This sums it all up: "Have yourself a Merry Merry Christmas, have yourself a good time, but remember the kids who got nothing, while you're drinking down your wine".
Thank you Ray for writing one of the best Christmas songs EVER!
bill shea
Allen Montgomery WOW! What a classic I LOVE this song and have yourself a MERRY CHRISTMAS too..