Suddenly Its Christmas
Loudon Wainwright III
[Verse 1] Suddenly it’s Christmas Right after Hallowe’en Forget about Thanksgiving; It’s just a buffet in between There’s lights and tinsel in the windows; They’re stocking up the shelves; Santa’s slaving at the North Pole In his sweatshop full of elves [Verse 2] There’s got to be a build-up To the day that Christ was born: The halls are decked with pumpkins And the ears of Indian corn Dragging through the falling leaves In a one-horse open sleigh Suddenly it’s Christmas Seven weeks before the day [Chorus] Suddenly it’s Christmas The longest holiday When they say "Season’s Greetings" They mean just what they say: It’s a season it’s a marathon Retail eternity It’s not over till it’s over And you throw away the tree [Verse 3] Outside it’s positively balmy In the air nary a nip; Suddenly it’s Christmas Unbuttoned and unzipped Yes they’re working overtime Santa’s little runts; Christmas comes but once a year And goes on for two months [Verse 4] Christmas carols in December And November too; It’s no wonder we’re depressed When the whole thing is through Finally it’s January; Let’s sing "Auld Lang Syne"; But here comes another heartache Shaped like a Valentine [Chorus] Suddenly it’s Christmas The longest holiday The season is upon us; A pox it won’t go away It’s a season it’s a marathon Retail eternity It’s not over till it’s over And you throw away the tree No it’s not over till it’s over And you throw away the tree; It’s still not over till it’s over And you throw away the tree