The New Yorker writes “Funny and practical, “Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna”offers up a universal holiday greeting for New York’s polyglot population.” It’s an inter-faith, cross-cultural, mixed-marriage song for friends and neighbors living peacefully in the glorious melting pot of the USA.
The song first appeared in 2008 on Balthrop, Alabama’s collection of brand new holiday classics called “A Very Balthrop Christmas,” available at End Up Records (endup.org). The brainchild of town drawer Toxey Goodwater, A Very Balthrop Christmas has been a series of minor epiphanies and small miracles. Pretty much everyone in town wrote a brand new holiday song for the effort, and some of our friends and neighbors joined in as well. The album is a seasonal delight from start to finish— twelve brand new holiday classics that just might knock that Billy Idol Christmas Album off your playlist. Pick it up at endup.org and visit Balthrop, Alabama's store on Bandcamp.
lyrics
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanza-Rama-Krishna
Oh, December is a joyous time in the old USA
Everybody celebrates in their own special way
In New York it’s difficult to know just what to say
To your neighbor, cabbie, grocer, stranger, waiting for the train
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
I’m pretty sure that covers every base
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
It’s hard to tell by looking at your face
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
I hope you’re feeling merry, maybe gay
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
Simply put – happy holidays!
Oh, Christmas is for Christians and Hanukkah’s for Jews
Those of African ancestry may celebrate Kwaanza too
Muslims observe Ramadan, sometimes that’s in December
Hindus have Krishna Jamestami… but when that is I can’t remember
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
I’m pretty sure that covers every base
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
It’s hard to tell by looking at your face
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
I hope you’re feeling merry, maybe gay
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
Simply put – happy holidays!
Oh, the US is a melting pot and melts more every year
Some think that’s good, some think it’s not, I say love conquers fear
Let’s make this month for everyone a friend and family time
So pour a glass and pass it ‘round, let’s all sing Auld Lang Syne!
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
I’m pretty sure that covers every base
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
It’s hard to tell by looking at your face
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
I hope you’re feeling merry, maybe gay
Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-Rama-Krishna!
Simply put – happy holidays!
credits
from Happy Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanza-Rama-Krishna – Holiday EP,
track released December 10, 2008
Produced by Michael Arthur and Dawn Landes
Song Artwork by Michael Arthur
Album Cover Artwork by Michael Arthur and Pascal Balthrop
Performed by Balthrop, Alabama: Pascal Balthrop, Josh Kaufman, Annie Nero, Lauren Balthrop, Chris Buckridge, Matt Moon, Terese Cox, Michael Arthur, Michael Quoma, Jason Lawrence, Alex Suarez, David Nagler, Jennifer Harder, Ray Saperstien, and Andrew Vladeck.
Music and lyrics by Andrew Vladeck
Recorded at Saltlands by Dawn Landes and Jim Smith
Additional recording at Castle Anthrax by Pascal Balthrop
Mixed by Dawn, Pascal, and Michael
Mastered by Kyle Fischer and Pascal
Thanks to Aaron Rutledge for all your help.
Durham, NC singer-songwriter Skylar Gudasz makes intimate Americana delivered with dry wit and stunningly precise vocal acumen. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 14, 2020
Portland singer/songwriter delivers a gorgeous Christmas EP, fashioned in the lush style of classics by Bing Crosby and Johnny Mathis. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 23, 2020
From Cork, Ireland, Lewis Barfoot writes mystic, majestic songs derived from regional folk, with an ambient music aura. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 11, 2023
