Santa Claus is Dead This Year

Santa Claus is Dead This Year
- by Bill Schaeffer


All the world is shocked and grieved
At the News there is to hear.
Who would have thought? Who could believe,
That Santa Claus is dead this year?

There won't be any singing
And there won't be any cheer.
There won't be any Christmas Time
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any Holly Wreaths
And no frosting on the mirror.
There won't be any Festive Tree
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any angels
With voices singing clear.
There won't be any happy children
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any Christmas Cards
Or Merry Wishes to hear.
There won't be any Mistletoe
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any Yule Time Log
Or the Family Gathering near.
There won't be any Presents at all
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any Christmas Goose
And there won't be any Beer.
There won't be any Hot Plum Pudding
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any Elven Sleigh
Pulled by Eight Reindeer.
There won't be any stockings hung
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any Peace on Earth
Or Carols to calm our fears.
There won't be any Brotherhood
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

There won't be any Red and Green
And no Memories to hold dear.
The world will all be Cold and Gray
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

All the Elves will be standing round
Rubbing their eyes, filled with tears.
The Reindeer's heads will be bowed
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

Mrs. Claus will be a horrible sight
Wailing and warbling, sounding queer.
The North Pole will draped in black
Because Santa Claus is dead this year.

But even though the Old Man's dead
And laying on his Funeral Bier
I suppose I'll raise a glass to toast
That Santa, who is dead this year.

Because he has done his job so well
In many a bygone year,
I guess I'll try, in his stead,
To be my own Santa Claus this year.

I'll make a list and check it twice

for friends and family dear

and get them each a special gift

for Christmas time this year.

I'll buy some cards and mail them out

to spread some Christmas Cheer

to all the ends of the Globe they'll go

at Christmas time this year.

and then I'll bake some special treats

and share them without fear

for everyone will be my friend

at Christmas time this year.

And lastly, I'll make a point

to help the unfortunate dears

whose luck has just run out

at Christmas time this year.

And maybe if enough of us

do Santa's chores each year

there still might be a Christmas

for years and years and years.

But as I think it occurs to me
That the News must be a lie.
Someone has pulled an awful prank
Because Santa Claus can't die.

For where ever a child's face
Lights up with fresh surprise
And smiles at the new fallen snow
Then Santa is there, alive.

And if young lovers are lost in thought
Gazing deep in each other's eyes,
Then there the Christmas Spirit is
And Santa Claus is there, alive.

And when a family sits around a table
With heads bowed in reverent prayer.
And even though they know it not
Old Santa Claus is there.

So even though the times are tough
And bills leave your wallet bare.
As long as you can laugh, once more
Then Santa Claus is there.

The Spirit of Christmas is always here
As long as you take your part
And Santa Claus will always live
In the smiles of the young at heart.

copyright 1998, 2005, 2014

William A Schaeffer