Monday, December 10, 2012

A Little Christmas

Little Angels on Gerry's Shoulder!
Christmas 2000

"For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet . . .
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel,
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now."


from "We Need a Little Christmas"
As sung by Johnny Mathis


******************

Ben said,
"I always thought it was 'grown a little meaner, grown a little colder.'
Learn something new every day."

Well, now that I think about it, maybe "meaner" is the Scrooge version! Though in a way, perhaps the two words -- mean, lean -- suggest the same thing; remember when Caesar says "Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look." Of course, Cassius is thin but he's also mean, and that's what Caesar is really getting at. Lean as in heartless.

Another discrepancy: If you listen carefully, you can surely hear Johnny Mathis singing "spice up the fruit cake," but I've noticed that in the Glee version -- and a few others -- they are definitely singing "slice" (and it says "slice" in the printed lyrics as well -- so I' know I'm not just mis-hearing). "Slice" just seems so bland (e.g. sliced bread) compared to "spice."

Still and all, a favorite song for beginning the season!

1 comment:

  1. Cousin Dan Rosenbluth wrote: "Better than splicing it up! Frankenfruitcake...?"

    and

    Auntie Tina McFadyen shared this observation:
    "Wasn't aware that Sam McCartney or Ben McCartney had ever been photographed with Bruce Willis!! xx"

    ReplyDelete