1) The Tractor… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name, including:
1) The Tractors was an American country rock band formed in Tulsa in 1988 and headed by guitarist Steve Ripley (1950-2019).
2) The Tractors was a short-lived British indie band from Liverpool active in the second half of the 1980s.
1) The Tractors was an American country rock band formed in Tulsa in 1988 and headed by guitarist Steve Ripley (1950-2019).
Subsequently a loosely associated group of musicians headed by Ripley, under the band's original lineup the band was signed to Arista Records in 1994, releasing their self-titled debut album that year. The album featured the single "Baby Likes to Rock It" and became the fastest-selling debut album from a country group to go platinum. A Christmas album called Have Yourself a Tractors Christmas soon followed. The band was nominated for two Grammy Awards and won the Country Weekly 1995 Golden Pick Award for Favorite New Group. Their true follow-up, Farmers in a Changing World, was released in 1998.
Since then, most of the band's original members moved on to separate projects, although they often collaborated with Ripley on The Tractors' subsequent recordings.
Ripley released the next album, Fast Girl, with several other musicians, in 2001 on Audium Entertainment . After Fast Girl, The Tractors left Audium and formed their own label, Boy Rocking Records. In 2009 "Trade Union" was released on E1.
2) The Tractors was a short-lived British indie/alternative band from the suburbs of Liverpool. They were active in the second half of the 1980s.
Christmas Is Comin'
The Tractors Lyrics
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The geese are getting fat,
Please put a penny
In the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny,
A ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny,
Then God bless you.
The Tractors's song "Christmas Is Comin'" is a jolly tune that essentially invites everyone to get ready for the holiday season. The opening line, "Christmas is coming," creates anticipation and excitement for the festivity that is right around the corner. The second line, "The geese are getting fat," immediately alludes to the idea that the Christmas feast is on its way. It is said that geese are traditionally consumed during Christmas dinner, and this line is likely referring to that.
The third and fourth lines call for people to give a penny or a ha'penny to the old man's hat. This is a common British tradition that dates back centuries. "Christmas is Coming" is a traditional nursery rhyme or carol that was sung by groups of "waits" or carolers who would go door to door and ask for money. If people didn't have a penny or ha'penny to give, they could always offer a blessing, hence the line "Then God bless you." This was a way to ensure that everyone could participate in the festivities and celebrate together.
Overall, the lyrics suggest the joy and spirit of giving that comes with the Christmas season. It encourages people to open their hearts and wallets to help those in need and to experience the warmth of the holiday season while celebrating with friends and family.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas is coming,
The time of celebration of Jesus Christ's birth is approaching.
The geese are getting fat,
As winter approaches, the geese are eating more in preparation for the cold weather.
Please put a penny
Donation is requested for a charitable cause.
In the old man's hat.
The donation should be placed in the hat of an elderly person who is likely in need of assistance.
If you haven't got a penny,
If you do not have any money to spare,
A ha'penny will do,
Even a small donation is appreciated.
If you haven't got a ha'penny,
If you do not have any money to donate,
Then God bless you.
Your well wishes and prayers for those in need are appreciated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: C. VAN BEEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind