Santa is robbing our town…
Santa Claus is comin’ to town, so be good for goodness sake, right? But a Christmas carol with a difference, released in Sydney this week and causing a stir on the internet globally, has turned attention to the sins of the bearded one. Many countries ban the red and white, jolly version, saying he has more baggage than the toys he carries.
Anthony McKeon’s lyrics in The Christmas Song say:
“Now Santa clause is heavy on the crack…
He works for coca cola, He works for the rest, He is a dirty old beggar, He should go back to his next
In the days of old, Santa was green, now he is the colour of corporation greed.”
The film clip shows a green Santa – the original Saint Nicholas – and the red and white version that was born in 19th century America, and sold out to soft drink advertisements in the 1930s. (This has given birth to conspiracy theories that he was created by Coca Cola).
“But I’m saying imagine,” said McKeon. “Coca Cola could be our best friends. Their infrastructure power is absolutely phenomenal. They’re reaching all corners of the planet. We need Coca Cola, we want them back on the table, but we need them to change.”
McKeon, brought up Irish Catholic and now lax, believes images of Jesus have been bastardised by corporations: “Take me off the cross and set me free.”
Once upon a time a sustainable, free exchange of gifts has sold out to consumerism. That’s no news, but the sad, dry chorus of “Merry Christmas, Alleluia” is resonating with generations of cynics around the world.
– By Matt Khoury
