The Bells
The Originals Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
On TV, at Saks

Honest living, honest living
Honest living, honest living
Honest living, honest living

Can't you spare a dime or two
Here but for the grace of God go you
You'll be merry I'll be merry
Tho Merry ain't in my vocabulary
No sleigh bells
No Santa Claus
No yule log
No tinsel
No holly
No hearth

No Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
No room at the Holiday Inn, oh no
And it's beginning to snow

Hats, bats, shoes, booze
Mountain bikes, potpourri
Leather bags, girlie mags
Forty fives, AZT
No one's buying
Feel like crying

No room at the Holiday Inn, Oh no
And it's beginning to snow
How about a furr in perfect shape
Owned by an MBA from uptown
I got a tweed
Broken in by a greedy
Broker who went broke
And then broke down

You don't have to do this

Hush your mouth, it's Christmas

I do not deserve you, Angel

Give, give (Wait)
All you do (what's on the floor?) is give
Give me some way to show (Let's see some more)
To show (no, no, no)
How you've touched me so
Kiss me, It's beginning to snow

She said, "would you light my candle"
And she put on a pout
And she wanted you to take her out tonight? (right)
She got you out

She was more than okay
But I pushed her way
It was bad, I got mad
And I had to get her out of my sight (wait, wait, wait)

You said she was sweet
Let's go eat I'll just get fat
It's the one vice left, when you're dead meat

There, that's her
(Maureen?) Mimi!
(Woah) I should go

Hey, it's beginning to snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Follow the man, follow the man
With his pockets full of the jam
Follow the man, follow the man
Help me out, daddy, if you can

Got any D, man? (I'm cool)
Got any C man? (I'm cool)
Got any X? Any smack? Any horse?
Any joogie boogie boy? Any blow?

Hey

Hey

I just want to say
I'm sorry for the way

Forget it

I blew up
Can I make it up to you? (how?)

Dinner party? (That'll do)

Hey lover boy, cutie pie
You steal my client, you die

You didn't miss me, you won't miss her
You'll never lack for customers

I'm willin', I'm illin'
I gotta get my sickness off
Gotta run, gotta ride
Gotta gun, gotta hide, gotta go

And it's beginning to snow

Wish me luck Alison the protest is on

Got any C, man?
Mark, this is Mimi (hi)
She'll be dining (With us)

Here's a new arrival (that is an ounce)

Hates, dats, bats (That's my coat!)

We give discounts

I think we've met (Got any C, man?)

Let's get a better one

It's a sham (that's what he said)

I said it's a gram (But she's a thief)

But she brought us together

Which investor is coming?

I'll take the leather

Your father? (Damn)

Christmas bells are swinging
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are singing
In my dreams, next year

Once you donate you can go
Celebrate in Tuckahoe
You'll feel cheery
I'll feel cheery
Tho' I don't really know that theory
No bathrobe
No Steuben glass
No cappuccino makers
No pearls, no diamonds
No chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
No room at the Holiday Inn, oh no

And it's beginning to
And it's beginning to
And it's beginning to,




And it's beginning to,
Joanne, which way to the stage (snow!)

Overall Meaning

The song "The Bells" by The Originals is a commentary on the commercialization of Christmas and the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots. The opening lines describe the ubiquitous sound of Christmas bells ringing, but in a seemingly ironic juxtaposition, they are heard only on TV and at Saks, highlighting the materialistic nature of the holiday. The refrain of "honest living" is repeated throughout, likely a reference to the struggles of those who are less fortunate and cannot afford to indulge in the extravagances of the season. This sentiment is echoed in the line "Can't you spare a dime or two / Here but for the grace of God go you," reminding listeners of the precariousness of their own financial security.


The verses go on to reject the traditional trappings of Christmas, emphasizing their absence with a litany of "no's." Rudolph, yule logs, tinsel, and Santa Claus are all absent, creating a bleak, desolate landscape. The singer describes items for sale, from hats and shoes to leather bags and magazines, but no one is buying, leaving the seller feeling like crying. Despite this, there is a call to give and show love, culminating in an emotional moment where the singer is moved by someone they care about and kissed as the snow begins to fall.


Line by Line Meaning

Christmas bells are ringing
The joyous sound of Christmas is being celebrated


On TV, at Saks
The Christmas spirit is being displayed on television and at the Saks store


Honest living, honest living
An emphasis on the importance of living a truthful and sincere life


Can't you spare a dime or two
Can you please spare some money to help those in need


Here but for the grace of God go you
Under different circumstances, you could be in the same position as those who are less fortunate


You'll be merry, I'll be merry
While others can easily find happiness during the holiday season, I struggle to feel the same way


Tho Merry ain't in my vocabulary
For me, the concept of being merry is not a part of my mindset


No sleigh bells
The traditional sounds of Christmas are absent


No Santa Claus
The mythical figure of Santa Claus is not present


No yule log
The traditional yule log, symbolizing warmth and comfort, is not part of my holiday experience


No tinsel
The festive decoration of tinsel is not included


No holly
The traditional symbol of holly is absent from my surroundings


No hearth
I don't have a warm and cozy hearth to gather around


No Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
The famous reindeer character Rudolph is not part of my Christmas


No room at the Holiday Inn, oh no
There is no available space at the Holiday Inn for me to stay


And it's beginning to snow
The weather is getting colder and snowfall is starting


Hats, bats, shoes, booze
Various items like hats, bats, shoes, and alcohol


Mountain bikes, potpourri
Additional items such as mountain bikes and scented mixtures


Leather bags, girlie mags
Including leather bags and magazines for women


Forty fives, AZT
Possibly referring to vinyl records and the medication AZT used during the AIDS epidemic


No one's buying
Nobody is interested in purchasing these items


Feel like crying
I am overwhelmed with sadness and frustration


How about a fur in perfect shape
What about a fur coat that is in excellent condition


Owned by an MBA from uptown
Belonging to a business graduate from an affluent area


I got a tweed
I have a tweed fabric


Broken in by a greedy
Previously used by someone who was selfish and materialistic


Broker who went broke
A broker who experienced financial ruin


And then broke down
And subsequently suffered emotional distress


You don't have to do this
You are not obligated to engage in these actions


Hush your mouth, it's Christmas
Be quiet, it's a time of celebration and joy


I do not deserve you, Angel
I feel unworthy of your presence and love, dear Angel


Give, give (Wait)
Keep giving, but wait a moment


All you do (what's on the floor?) is give
Your main purpose is to continually give to others


Give me some way to show (Let's see some more)
Provide me with a means to express how deeply you have impacted my life


To show (no, no, no)
To demonstrate my gratitude and affection (No, it's not appropriate)


How you've touched me so
The profound effect you have had on my emotions and heart


Kiss me, It's beginning to snow
Embrace me with a kiss as the snowfall begins


She said, 'would you light my candle'
She asked if I could ignite her candle


And she put on a pout
She displayed a sulky and displeased expression


And she wanted you to take her out tonight? (right)
She desired your company and to go out together this evening


She got you out
She successfully persuaded you to accompany her


She was more than okay
She was not just fine, but actually quite remarkable


But I pushed her way
However, I distanced myself from her


It was bad, I got mad
Our interaction turned negative, and I became angry


And I had to get her out of my sight (wait, wait, wait)
I couldn't bear to see her anymore, so I wanted her to leave (hold on, let me reconsider)


You said she was sweet
You previously mentioned that she was kind and pleasant


Let's go eat I'll just get fat
Let's go grab a meal, even though it might cause me to gain weight


It's the one vice left, when you're dead meat
It's the only indulgence I have remaining, considering my dire situation


There, that's her
Look, that's the person we were discussing


Maureen? Mimi!
A conversation directed towards Maureen, but Mimi interrupts and introduces herself


I should go
I should leave this place


Hey, it's beginning to snow
Hey, look, the snowfall has started


I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
I have a desire for a snowy Christmas season


Follow the man, follow the man
Follow the man, pursue him


With his pockets full of the jam
With his pockets filled with money and success


Help me out, daddy, if you can
Assist me, daddy, if you have the ability to do so


Got any D, man? (I'm cool)
Do you have any drugs, man? (I don't need any)


Got any C, man? (I'm cool)
Do you have any cocaine, man? (I don't need any)


Got any X? Any smack? Any horse?
Do you have any ecstasy? Any heroin? Any drugs?


Any joogie boogie boy? Any blow?
Any marijuana? Any cocaine?


I just want to say
I simply want to express


I'm sorry for the way
I apologize for my behavior


Forget it
Disregard my apology


I blew up
I lost control and became angry


Can I make it up to you? (how?)
Can I compensate for my actions? (in what way?)


Dinner party? (That'll do)
Shall we have a dinner party? (That would be sufficient)


Hey lover boy, cutie pie
Hey, my beloved boy, my adorable sweetheart


You steal my client, you die
If you take away my customer, you will face dire consequences


You didn't miss me, you won't miss her
You didn't notice my absence, and you won't notice her absence either


You'll never lack for customers
You will always have a steady stream of customers


I'm willin', I'm illin'
I am prepared, I am eager


I gotta get my sickness off
I need to satisfy my addiction


Gotta run, gotta ride
I must hurry, I must depart


Gotta gun, gotta hide, gotta go
I need a firearm, I need to conceal myself, I need to leave


Wish me luck Alison the protest is on
Please wish me luck, Alison, as the protest is about to take place


Got any C, man?
Do you have any cocaine, man?


Mark, this is Mimi (hi)
Mark, I would like you to meet Mimi (hello)


She'll be dining (With us)
She will be joining us for dinner


Here's a new arrival (that is an ounce)
Here's a new person who just arrived (that person has a large quantity of drugs)


Hats, bats (That's my coat!)
Including hats, baseball bats (Please give me my coat!)


We give discounts
We offer reduced prices and special offers


I think we've met (Got any C, man?)
I believe we have already been introduced (Do you have any cocaine, man?)


Let's get a better one
Let's find a higher quality


It's a sham (that's what he said)
It's a deception (that's what he claimed)


I said it's a gram (But she's a thief)
I stated that it's a gram (But she is a thief)


But she brought us together
However, she played a role in uniting us


Which investor is coming?
Which potential investor will be joining us?


I'll take the leather
I'll choose the leather material


Your father? (Damn)
Is your father coming? (Oh no)


Once you donate you can go
Once you make a donation, you are free to leave


Celebrate in Tuckahoe
Enjoy the festivities in Tuckahoe


You'll feel cheery
You will experience joy and happiness


I'll feel cheery
I will also feel joyful


Tho' I don't really know that theory
Although I am not familiar with that idea


No bathrobe
There is a lack of a cozy robe


No Steuben glass
The absence of fine Steuben glassware


No cappuccino makers
There are no machines for making cappuccino


No pearls, no diamonds
There are no luxurious pearls or diamonds


No chestnuts roasting on an open fire
There are no chestnuts being roasted on an open fire


No room at the Holiday Inn, oh no
There is no available space at the Holiday Inn for me to stay


And it's beginning to
And the process is starting


And it's beginning to
And it's starting to


And it's beginning to
And it's commencing to


And it's beginning to
And it's starting to


Joanne, which way to the stage (snow!)
Joanne, can you guide me in the direction of the stage (snow is falling!)




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHAN D. LARSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions