SONG CHALLENGE WINNER!

Kiwis Put The Kebash On Santa's Ho –– Father Christmas has been told to stop saying: "ho ho ho" in New Zealand because it frightens children.  Sian Barber, of Westaff Recruitment, which is finding Santas for shopping malls, told The Dominion newspaper that the traditional shout was scary.  "We're trying to divert them off going 'ho ho ho'. . . for some children it can seem a bit ferocious," she said.  Instead, in this new, sensitive age, Santas are being taught that talking to children the right way was important, as was the ability to listen, show patience, warmth and understanding.  "We need someone who has an affinity with children, someone who can really understand the importance of what they represent," Ms Barber said.  "That's important for the children, and for the mall owners because they are big drawcards."


Arrest That Merry Gentleman by McGrath of Harlow

McGrath's Comments:  Here's a carol.  (That first line is pinched more or less from the Kippers � "Arrest these merry gentlemen and take them all away."  I thought I'd point that out before someone else did.)


Arrest that merry gentleman,
he's causing great dismay.
The children in the shopping mall
Aren't buying things today.
With his bushy beard and "Ho Ho Ho" –
we wish he'd go away,
with his "tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy",
with his "tidings of comfort and joy."

Oh Christmas is the time when we can
move in for the kill,
and "Ho Ho Ho", and stuff like that,
and talk about "goodwill"
waste time that should be spent
on putting money in the till –
instead of "tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy",
instead of "tidings of comfort and joy."

Fear not, said the manager,
let nothing you afright,
this holy time of purchasing
we're going to get it right.
We'll tell old Father Christmas
He can go out in the night,
with his "tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy",
with his "tidings of comfort and joy."

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