On The Other Hand, Most Of Us Don't Know How Many Shopping Days Are Left Before Our Birthday

Occasional Long Cut commenter and longtime sister Terry - whose birthday falls on December 25 - will sometimes express the shortcomings of being born on Christmas (and by "sometimes" I mean every chance she gets). She's not the only one with this problem, of course - in fact, there's a whole website dedicated to these whiners folks.

Luckily for her, and everyone else whose party always gets crashed by Baby Jesus, the Boston band The Slip has finally put her lament to music (and pretty good music, too). With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I thought I'd offer a download of the song in time for the holiday season, just so we don't forget those for whom "Noel" often means "no gift."

So here it is, just for Terry. (And Baby Jesus, of course - can't forget him.)

The Slip - "Children of December" [mp3]

All the parents of the children of December
Have a clutch
'Cause their birthdays are the hardest to remember
When you're born on Christmas
Or the day before new year's
They can sing out your birthday
But but but nobody hears
I was lucky I was born in the summer
Nineteen seventy five
It was as hot as an oven
Families that were lovin' each other in November
By April were planning all the new family members
But save one for the empirical boy with his empirical toys
The hots wheels the autobots and the deceptions
Everyone's waiting to see what he's worth
But he is invincible like a breeze on the earth

I was holding something
In my hands so tightly
I was afraid to let it go
I was afraid to even know
I was holding something
In my heart so tightly
I was afraid to let it go

Oh when you're born in December
It's hard to remember
Well the 90s have ended
So what do you call this decade?

I hold every person I meet like a treasure
I defend the ones I love to whatever the end is
And that's why I take it to you through the music
'Cause when the music's connected it's like everyone's protected
January is for Rosie
God bless Rosie
And February is for Tim
We all know about him
March is for my mama still winin' and dinin'
And April is for my my my my pop
May give to Jonas some
June is for the bass
Mine's July July July July July

All the parents of the children of December
Have a clutch
When you're born in Christmas
Or the day after new year's
They can sing out your birthday but but but but but but but
Make a little noise
Make a little sound

Oh when you're born in December
And no one remembers
Well the 90s have ended
So what do you call this decade?

And before a certain other Long Cut reader and longtime sister asks - if there's ever a song about having your half-birthday fall on Christmas, I'll post that one too.

Comments

[Donna]

I still say having a January 9th birthday is worse than a Christmas birthday. At least she sometimes gets pity gifts.

Don't suppose there are any songs about sharing a birthday with Richard Nixon, Crystal Gayle and Joe Burns?

[terry]

Hey! Shortcomings about my birthday. Every chance I get?
I just wanted my chance to pick out what we watched on TV.A birthday tradition.

37 days, 1hr and 31 minutes to Christmas

Thanks for the song

[Donna]

I suppose you still line the whole family up at the top of the stairs and go down first, too..huh, Terry?