"scary ghost stories" in Christmas song

[Caropooh]

My family and I were just discussing this exact thing yesterday! LOL! I was also wondering about the "marshmallows for roasting" part. Who roasts marshmallows for the holidays?

 

[CowboyCO]

My guess is that because the writers of the song were Jewish, they just made stuff up to go along with a great tune. LOL (I think it's amazing that some of the greatest Christmas songs were penned by jewish songwriters) Other than this song, the most famous one they wrote was the theme to "Gilligan's Island".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfSLuEj99d0

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that this is all very interesting. I like ghost stories ANY time of year and now I can justify it at Christmas.

 

[castmemberb4]

If you are interested in song lyric meaning, Ace Collins has several great books about song lyrics.

http://acecollins.com/

 

[Coconut36]

My family and I were just discussing this exact thing yesterday! LOL! I was also wondering about the "marshmallows for roasting" part. Who roasts marshmallows for the holidays?

I'm guessing it is because it is cold and they would have a fire going so they could gather around and roast the marshmallows. I live in a desert so not necessarily a tradition around these parts

 

[Diznygrl]

This is too funny. I was wondering the same thing about the scary ghost stories part, but I always just shrug it off. Finally, the mystery is solved!

Another line that has always irked me is one in Do You Hear What I Hear. "A child, a child, shivers in the cold...let us bring him silver and gold." Hey, uh...how about a BLANKET?

 

[KristaTX]

Thanks for the explanations about the presents on the tree. I've never heard of that except in the song, but I guess it could explain the origin of Christmas ornaments.

 

[Gisele]

.... how a bout a blanket? Ha.... I like that one... I second that sentiment pp... then bring on the gold and silver, with emphasis on the gold... what can I say?
Anyway, I too had figured it was a reference to A Christmas Carol. I don't find this story to be scary from a ghostie stand point, from a miser standpoint though oh yes. Although what is rather unsettling is to be visited by Christmas future, which turns out to be some kind of reaper really.
I love the idea too, of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve and or Christmas. But then, I have a really big interest in the Paranormal to begin with. I find it interesting when a group of campers for example will be sitting around a camp fire during the evening, telling ghost stories, only to figure out at some point that they are the ghosts in their own stories. Interesting, but sad.

 

[*JoGo*]

My favorite Xmas lyric is from Jingle Bells, in the second verse, where it says "And then we got upsot". What a peculiar word! I hate it when the performer changes that verse/ word.

 

[Gisele]

That is interesting pp, for I had not recalled that particular lyric before.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

My favorite Xmas lyric is from Jingle Bells, in the second verse, where it says "And then we got upsot". What a peculiar word! I hate it when the performer changes that verse/ word.

I was singing along the other night and DW thought I was crazy when I said "upsot."

 

[Stitchfans]

Wow, I never caught that. Wow, just wow!