For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 11, 2017

John: “No, Elly, why do you ask?”

I love the “again” part of that question. It implies that Elly has told John not to teach the wrong lyrics to Christmas carols before. I do like that Elly immediately assumes that John is the source of the humorous song lyrics. When I was a kid, I think I learned most of my Christmas song parodies from other kids.

The classic Christmas carol lyric reworking is this fine example from the genius mind of Walt Kelly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL0lPcNwRqQ

I would think that’s how most parents want to sing that song!

Hey that song can use all the improvement possible. The original lyrics are so stupid! I loathe that song.

It could be worse. She could be singing “Walkin’ ‘Round in Women’s Underwear.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbPy9zqWGcU

“Perspire” must be a difficult word for Elizabeth to pronounce. When I was her age, I couldn’t pronounce any "R"s, let alone "R"s and "S"s stuck together.

Not the part about the bills, but when I grew up, everyone sang perspire. I thought that was the real word. Also, the part that says, “…tho’ your nose gets a chillin’”, I always sang, "….BLOW your nose, get a chillin’ ".

We three kings of orient are, we’re all smoking a rubber cigar!

Finally got the right side icons back. Were available on other pc’s and even on – bleah – Internet Explorer. Tried restoring pc to earlier setting. Finally reurned Firefox to defaults and that fixed it.

So apologies to gocomics, and thank you to those who offered thoughtful suggestions.

In that era, morning radio shows were already a thing, and many would play parodies like that. Perhaps she heard it that way, on the school bus.

It sounds like the type of carol John would teach Elizabeth and Michael.

“Deck the halls with Boston Charlie…”

My husband & I came up with a spoof Christmas song…but it’s not fit for a family site. ;)

My big brother always tried teaching me crazy lyrics to Christmas carols. Now that he’s gone I wish he’d come back and keep at it … I miss him.

LOL!

One can simply misinterpret the meaning of the words. For example, as a wee lad, I thought “round yon virgin mother” referred to a fat woman sitting on a corner holding a baby.

Lynn’s Notes:

My dad sang these words to us. He would reverse or rewrite the lyrics to carols, hymns and even the tunes on the radio. This was one of my favourites.

Said the king to the little shepherd boy / “You are schizophrenic! / I decree, little shepherd boy, / You are schizophrenic! (phrenic! phrenic!) / ‘Cause sheep don’t talk / They only eat and walk!” / Then he told his guards on the spot, / “Throw him in the dungeon to rot! / Throw him in. The. Dun-geon. To RO-O-O-O-OTTTTTTTTT!”

Just a dose of reality. Amongst our family and friends we’ve agreed to quit the madness altogether and quit giving each other dustcatchers".

I remember this from years ago: Jingle BellsBatman smells, Robin laid an egg.The Bat mobile lost a wheeland Alfred saved the day….

Chipmunks roasting on an open fire…

According to George Carlin sleep in heavenly peace went through a lot of changes when he was a kid.

Reminds me of the line in Silent Night, Heavenly Holsteins sing alleluia.

I’m surprised she even had to ask! (and she KNOWS it wasn’t Michael because it wasn’t offensive or smutty!

The rest room door said “Gentlemen”, and I would like to find… The dirty little creep who had the nerve to switch the signs… ‘Cause I have two black eyes and a high heel up my behind… Now I can’t sit with comfort and joy. Bo-oy oh boooooy… No, I cannot sit with comfort and joy…

Man, I miss hearing that on the radio….