12 days
It was a dark and stormy night – what a catchy phrase – and the Spice and I were on our way to the church and our first ‘gala event’ of the season, the senior’s Christmas banquet. The night was truly dark (as most nights are) and it was gusting rain, to one intensity or another. We were on I-20 and one exit short of getting off when suddenly our lane slowed to a stop/crawl. We slowly advanced up the interstate and into lateness for our event.
When we finally got to the point of the blue lights, it appeared that at least two and maybe three vehicles were involved in this very wet accident and it would seem that the hurting folks had already departed to a healthcare facility. We were about 15 minutes late for our supper event, but they were still in the ‘meet and greet’ stages so it was not so bad. We were shortly called to order, were greeted officially, grace was offered and we began to go through the food line of this catered happening.
The food was definitely decent and was followed by either a double or triple chocolate slice of cake – I could have used some vanilla ice cream on it. A good friend of ours played the piano during the meal and afterwards asked the group to join her in singing some Christmas carols. The final part of the evening was a participation singing of the 12 days of Christmas. Twelve “volunteers” were called to the front, each of us was assigned a day and the song started with passing the mike and chiming in when our part came. I was number 12 and only had to sing my short part once – the Spice had the ‘five golden rings’ with much more participation.
There seemed to be a bit of confusion about the words of day 9 through 12 and when I looked up the song on the web, I understood why. One version had 9 drummers drumming, ten pipers piping, 11 ladies dancing and 12 lords a-leaping – while the other had 9 ladies dancing, 10 lords a-leaping, 11 drummers drumming and 12 pipers piping.
Several parodies of this song have been given over the years by many different ‘artists’ – many of which are not worthy of printing but one told of what ‘Garfield’ the cat got for Christmas – 12 mice a-dancing, 11 hair-balls hacking, 10 cups of coffee, 9 spiders wacking, 8 plates of pasta, 7 bunny slippers, 6 dogs a-kicking, 5 million presents, 4 jelly rolls, 3 fruit cakes, 2 teddy bears and a partridge in a pear tree.
More in tune with real life, sadly to say, is the version given in the 11th episode of the first season of the TV show ‘Scrubs’ and it tells the reasons that doctors try to avoid being on call on Christmas Eve. They figure they would get: 12 beaten children, 11 drive-by shootings, 10 frozen homeless, 9 amputations, 8 burn victims, 7 strangled shoppers, 6 random knifings, 5 suicides, 4 beaten wives, 3 OD’s, 2 shattered skulls, and a drunk who drove into a tree. Wow, welcome to big city Christmas!!
Even in the small town, expectations about the event and material things can mask or hide altogether the real reason for the season – the celebration of a savior coming into the world – Jesus. The reason for the lack of joy during this season or any other is the lack of a relationship with Christ, who is the giver of joy. ec
When we finally got to the point of the blue lights, it appeared that at least two and maybe three vehicles were involved in this very wet accident and it would seem that the hurting folks had already departed to a healthcare facility. We were about 15 minutes late for our supper event, but they were still in the ‘meet and greet’ stages so it was not so bad. We were shortly called to order, were greeted officially, grace was offered and we began to go through the food line of this catered happening.
The food was definitely decent and was followed by either a double or triple chocolate slice of cake – I could have used some vanilla ice cream on it. A good friend of ours played the piano during the meal and afterwards asked the group to join her in singing some Christmas carols. The final part of the evening was a participation singing of the 12 days of Christmas. Twelve “volunteers” were called to the front, each of us was assigned a day and the song started with passing the mike and chiming in when our part came. I was number 12 and only had to sing my short part once – the Spice had the ‘five golden rings’ with much more participation.
There seemed to be a bit of confusion about the words of day 9 through 12 and when I looked up the song on the web, I understood why. One version had 9 drummers drumming, ten pipers piping, 11 ladies dancing and 12 lords a-leaping – while the other had 9 ladies dancing, 10 lords a-leaping, 11 drummers drumming and 12 pipers piping.
Several parodies of this song have been given over the years by many different ‘artists’ – many of which are not worthy of printing but one told of what ‘Garfield’ the cat got for Christmas – 12 mice a-dancing, 11 hair-balls hacking, 10 cups of coffee, 9 spiders wacking, 8 plates of pasta, 7 bunny slippers, 6 dogs a-kicking, 5 million presents, 4 jelly rolls, 3 fruit cakes, 2 teddy bears and a partridge in a pear tree.
More in tune with real life, sadly to say, is the version given in the 11th episode of the first season of the TV show ‘Scrubs’ and it tells the reasons that doctors try to avoid being on call on Christmas Eve. They figure they would get: 12 beaten children, 11 drive-by shootings, 10 frozen homeless, 9 amputations, 8 burn victims, 7 strangled shoppers, 6 random knifings, 5 suicides, 4 beaten wives, 3 OD’s, 2 shattered skulls, and a drunk who drove into a tree. Wow, welcome to big city Christmas!!
Even in the small town, expectations about the event and material things can mask or hide altogether the real reason for the season – the celebration of a savior coming into the world – Jesus. The reason for the lack of joy during this season or any other is the lack of a relationship with Christ, who is the giver of joy. ec
posted by mreddie | 4:04 PM
10 Comments:
There's a "redneck" version too. The only line I can remember is something about "and some parts for a Mustang GT".
You're right about the different versions. I've given up trying to memorize the whole thing - it changes depending on the recording.
Oh, there are so many versions to this holiday song...but, Granny is trying to remember this one, on the Red-neck Christmas:
Chorus:
Twelve-pack of Bud
Eleven Wrastling tickets
Ten o' Copenhagen
Nine years probation
Eight table dancers
Seven packs of Redman
Six cans of Spam
Five flannel shirts
Four big mud tires
Three shotgun shells
Two hunting dogs
... And some parts to a Mustang GT.
And, did you know that you can get this song on a ringtone for the cell phone?
granny - I did see the redneck version in the material I looked up.
bonita - I did not know you could get it as a ringtone - how 'precious' is that? :) ec
hope the accident was not that bad.. and it seems that garfield is the most privileged cat in the world..
cathrina - Even though one of the vehicles was in the ditch, it didn't look too bad. Thanks for stopping by the "patch", come again anytime. ec
Hello, thanks for visiting me. I love your writing! What talent. Merry Christmas. I'll be back :)
kila - I'm glad you stopped by the blueberry patch, come by any time. ec
“Dark and stormy nights” usually forecast doom. It seems your didn’t. Of course, as a follower of the Christ, doom and gloom need not distress us.
Hi Mr. Eddie ~ That dark and stormy night proved to be just that for the accident victims. Glad you made it to your feast, not too late. Sounds like a lovely meal and entertainment I have been so fortunate lately with the friend helping, an then John and his ladyfriend and her 15 year old son all hopping in today, trimming, chopping (John's favorite,) weeding and planting my lovely pelargoniums, some silver-beet and 2 more tomato plants.All looking good. Take care
Regards, Merle.
SSN - So true - even in the occasional 'gloom and doom' we have the comfort of a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.
merle - Didn't hear any report about the accident - this usually means no fatalities. With that good help it sounds like your garden is really shaping up. ec
Post a Comment
<< Home