Santa Claus Never Comes To The Ghetto
Yellowman Lyrics
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Why don't you come to this part of town?
Something wrong with this part of town?
You must be joking
Santa Claus, he never yet, go the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, go the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, go the ghetto, the ghetto
Him a go, go to Hollywood and Silver Spring
Ghetto children never get Thanksgiving
Him a visit the queen and a visit the king
And poor people, never get anything
What about the children inna Brooklyn?
What about the children who suffering?
From Santa Claus, you nah hear nothing
Him bring pretty toys, an' nuff other things
An' other children have the same feeling
Them want the same thing inna the bag you bringing
Bim, bim, bim
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto
(.)
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto
Cah me say special request, to you and you
Ghetto children waan Christmas too
Santa, tell me weh you gweng do
Don't forget all, poor ghetto youth
Ghetto children need an helping hand
Santa Claus, you fi understand
We don't want no pork and we don't want no ham
We don't want no chicken back neither bacon
Give me the steam fish, give me the jam
And come mek we have a good celebration
It is Christmas, 'cause it a Christmas
Yes, it a Christmas
In the ghetto
The children love Christmas
People love Christmas
Everybody love Christmas
In the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet.
The song "Santa Claus Never Comes to the Ghetto" by Yellowman is a social commentary on the neglect of the impoverished communities during Christmas time. The song highlights the disparity within society, where Santa Claus is portrayed as visiting the wealthy neighbourhoods but ignoring the children in the ghetto. The song opens with a dialogue between Yellowman and Santa Claus, questioning why he has never visited the ghetto. Yellowman asserts that there is nothing wrong with the ghetto and Santa Claus must be joking if he believes so. The chorus reinforces the sentiment that Santa Claus has never visited the ghetto and the children are left without any hope or expectation.
The song also delves into the context of how Santa Claus has the power to bring Christmas joy to all, yet selects only the privileged. The bridge requests Santa Claus to bring a joyful Christmas to the ghetto children, who are in dire need of his help, instead of focusing only on Hollywood, Silver Spring, the queen, or the king. The song suggests that the children do not need luxury items but are content with simple joys. They just want to have a good celebration with steam fish, jam, and other treats, away from suffering and deprivation.
The song calls for the equal distribution of Christmas cheer and highlights the ignorance of celebrations that only cater to the privileged, neglecting the ones in need. It draws attention to the exclusion of the underprivileged and promotes the idea of Christmas as a time of goodwill and community.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Santa
Calling out to Santa Claus
Why don't you come to this part of town?
Asking Santa Claus why he never visits the ghetto
Something wrong with this part of town?
Wondering if there's a reason Santa never comes to the ghetto
You must be joking
Expressing disbelief that Santa would ignore the ghetto
Santa Claus, he never yet, go the ghetto, the ghetto
Repeating that Santa never visits the ghetto, emphasizing the disparity
Him a go, go to Hollywood and Silver Spring
Pointing out Santa's preference for wealthy areas over the ghetto
Ghetto children never get Thanksgiving
Highlighting the lack of attention paid to the ghetto, even during holidays
Him a visit the queen and a visit the king
Listing Santa's visits to the privileged, while ignoring the underprivileged
And poor people, never get anything
Reiterating the neglect of those in poverty
What about the children inna Brooklyn?
Asking why Santa even bothers visiting wealthy areas like Brooklyn, while ignoring the ghetto
What about the children who suffering?
Pointing out that the children in the ghetto are the ones truly in need of Christmas cheer
From Santa Claus, you nah hear nothing
Noticing the lack of attention paid to the ghetto by Santa Claus
Him bring pretty toys, an' nuff other things
Noting the types of gifts Santa brings to wealthy areas, which are not representative of the needs of the ghetto
An' other children have the same feeling
Recognizing that children in the ghetto want toys and gifts just like children in other areas
Them want the same thing inna the bag you bringing
Explaining that the children in the ghetto just want the same gifts and attention from Santa
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Repeating the main point, that Santa never visits the ghetto
Cah me say special request, to you and you
Making a special request to Santa Claus, asking him to visit the ghetto
Ghetto children waan Christmas too
Asserting that the children in the ghetto deserve to celebrate Christmas just like anyone else
Santa, tell me weh you gweng do
Asking Santa Claus what he plans to do about this disparity
Don't forget all, poor ghetto youth
Reminding Santa Claus to remember the youth in the ghetto as well
Ghetto children need an helping hand
Reiterating the idea that the children in the ghetto require assistance
Santa Claus, you fi understand
Urging Santa Claus to comprehend the predicament of those in the ghetto
We don't want no pork and we don't want no ham
Reframing the traditional desire for food during the holidays to include cultural differences in dietary needs
We don't want no chicken back neither bacon
Expanding on the idea that traditional holiday foods may not be appropriate for everyone in the ghetto
Give me the steam fish, give me the jam
Expressing a preference for foods appropriate to the culture of the ghetto
And come mek we have a good celebration
Urging Santa Claus to come to the ghetto and help the residents have a joyous holiday
It is Christmas, 'cause it a Christmas
Emphasizing that Christmas should be a time of joy for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status
Yes, it a Christmas
Affirming the importance of Christmas in the ghetto
In the ghetto
Reminding the listener of the context and setting of the song
The children love Christmas
Highlighting the desire of the children in the ghetto to celebrate Christmas
People love Christmas
Emphasizing that everyone in the ghetto deserves to enjoy Christmas, not just children
Everybody love Christmas
Asserting that everyone should be given an opportunity to celebrate Christmas
Santa Claus, he never yet, come the ghetto, the ghetto
Final repetition of the theme, that Santa never visits the ghetto
Writer(s): yellowman, tommy cowan, g. himelfarb, winston foster
Contributed by Hailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
saszwo
on Getting Divorce
Fathead walk (walked) a mile and a half in a you (your) gungu walk ...
saszwo
on Getting Divorce
Incorrect: Me no want! Me no want! Where Fathead ya man left! / Correcto: Me no want! Me no want! Where Fathead nyam and left!
saszwo
on Getting Divorce
Incorrect: To buy feed and also nappy / Correct: To buy feed'n also nappy
saszwo
on Getting Divorce
Incorrect: And one a them a soldier ina Hope Park camp. / Correct: And one a them a soldier inna Up Park Camp.
saszwo
on Getting Divorce
incorrect: She burned-out the chicken and? the rice! / correct: She burned up the chicken and go curry the rice
saszwo
on Getting Divorce
incorrect: To look a for mi yellow baby / correct: To look after mi yellow baby
Saszwo
on Galong Galong Galong
Mistake: The whole a deejay ... Correct: The only deejay ...
Rodney Janie
on Zungguzungguguzungguzeng
Thank you King Yellowman
Harvey J Eger
on Body Move
"Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" is the lead track on Yellowman's album of the same name. Check it out and like it if you do.