A holiday song that mixes Depression-era bleakness with tongue-in-cheek promises of a "New Deal for Christmas." The lyrics conjure empty stores and thin Santas, then pivot to a rapid-fire list of corporate names "filling our pockets with dollars" and a whimsical refrain about carrying baleen, all delivered with satirical cheer.
I know the Depression's depressing. The cows are still, the stores are full. And windows are minus their dressing. The children don't grin, the Santas are thin. And I heard a terrible rumor, no good news, no cheer. But we'll get a New Deal for Christmas this year. The snowflakes are white and falling, and over the place the peppermint sticks scent all through the land in propelling. Can't feel the mistletoe 'cause lovers aren't there. But Santa's got brand new assistants, there's nothing to fear. They're bringing a new deal for Christmas this year. Ho ho ho ho ho ho! Ho ho ho ho ho ho! On barley and Perkins, on Nichols and Wallace, on Market Valley companies fill our pockets with dollars. On Market House Watson, Kenrock, Cornell Hall, we can all carry a coil of baleen, a baleen, a baleen, a steer and a baleen. Oh, baleen, stockin'.
